A 30-year-old Israeli man arrested at Limassol’s New Port after police found a firearm magazine containing 18 live rounds and a two-way radio in his luggage has claimed he serves in the Israeli military and forgot the equipment in his bag before leaving Israel.
The suspect appeared before Limassol District Court on Sunday, 15 November, which ordered his detention for three days to allow police to continue their investigation.
His lawyer, Alexandros Saouris, told the court that his client did not object to being remanded in custody so that his claims could be investigated.
Police are investigating suspected offences involving the unlawful possession and transportation of explosives, as well as the unlawful possession and transportation of a non-firearm weapon, under the relevant legislation.
How the items were discovered
According to information presented in court, the incident began at around 11am on Saturday, 14 November, when security staff at Limassol’s New Port alerted a member of the Port and Marine Police after detecting a suspicious object in a shoulder bag during passenger luggage screening.
A police officer approached the bag and established that it belonged to the 30-year-old.
When informed that officers intended to search it, the suspect allegedly replied, “It’s mine, ok.”
During the search, conducted in his presence, officers discovered a firearm magazine loaded with 18 live rounds.
They also found a black two-way radio inside the same bag.
Police seized both items as evidence.
When officers showed the items to the suspect and informed him that their possession and transportation were prohibited by law, he allegedly responded in English, “I am soldier.”
Suspect says equipment belonged to Israeli military
Officers subsequently took the 30-year-old to Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning.
During an initial interview, he said he had arrived in Limassol aboard a cruise ship at 12.30pm on 13 November.
He claimed the vessel had departed from the Israeli port of Haifa at 11.38am on 12 November.
Asked about the items found in his luggage, he said they belonged to him and had been officially assigned to him because he serves in the Israeli military.
He maintained that he had forgotten to remove them from his bag before leaving Israel.
The suspect also said the bag had been kept in his cabin aboard the cruise ship and that he had carried it with him when boarding in Haifa.
When asked whether he had undergone security screening in Israel, he reportedly explained that the checkpoint had been extremely busy, with staff checking passengers’ luggage and personal details.
Police to examine evidence and take further statements
Investigators expect to take approximately 20 additional statements from port employees and other individuals as part of the investigation.
The seized items will also be sent for specialised laboratory examinations, including forensic and ballistic testing.
