Two prominent businessmen have been placed under four-day detention by Larnaca District Court on suspicion of interfering in the judicial process and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, in connection with a shooting and brawl in central Larnaca last Saturday.
The men, aged 47 and 43, were arrested on Thursday afternoon following a coordinated operation by tactical police units and Larnaca CID. The 47-year-old faces an additional charge of illegal possession of property.
Armed police maintained security in the Larnaca courtroom during the detention hearing.
Police suspect the two businessmen met with the complainant in the shooting case on 21 January. When police became aware of the meeting, they called in the complainant for a statement, in which he made various claims.
Defence lawyer Antonis Dimitriou told the court he had no objection to the detention but submitted questions to the investigating officer.
He asked whether police were aware that the complainant had a “friendly meeting” with the suspects and others on 21 January. The investigator replied that this would be investigated.
Dimitriou also stated that the complainant had worked as a security guard at the 43-year-old’s business, and that after giving his statement to police, the complainant asked the 47-year-old to employ him.
The 47-year-old was arrested at his company offices, where a search under court warrant uncovered a large sum of cash and bank cheques.
Police also arrested three men aged 44, 50 and 38 who were working as security guards at the premises without the required licence and were in possession of wireless devices. A test vehicle driven by one of the guards was confiscated for further examination.
The 43-year-old was arrested later the same day at his home. Both businessmen categorically deny the allegations against them.
Six people remain in custody over the shooting incident itself: five foreign nationals and a 48-year-old Cypriot who police believe led the group. The 48-year-old was injured during the incident and hospitalised with head injuries.
According to the detention order filed in court, the criminal group approached a businessman on Grigori Afxentiou Avenue two weeks before the violent incident, demanding €7,000 for protection followed by €1,000 monthly.
Another person, who is wanted and believed to have fled abroad, made the first approach by phone to the businessman, followed by threats.
On Saturday, the same person went to the premises and demanded money again, allegedly threatening the complainant with a knife.
Shortly after 3pm, vehicles arrived at high speed and 20 people disembarked, including the 48-year-old and those arrested. When the complainant refused to pay, the group allegedly began beating him. The complainant, together with a relative and two friends, fought back with an axe and crowbars.
The court filing stated the complainants used “proportionate force” to “ensure their physical integrity and property.”
Court testimony also revealed that on 9 January, the 48-year-old and 15 others went to an entertainment centre in Larnaca and told security guards they were taking over protection of the premises. The guards refused.
The next day, the same group went to another nightclub and informed security guards they were assuming protection duties. Those guards accepted and began working for the criminal group.
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