Red notices are expected to be issued within days for two people in Dubai allegedly linked to a plot to kill a businessman in Limassol, Phileleftheros understands. Meanwhile, a former employee reportedly told investigators he was promised money for his daughter and legal residence in Cyprus to carry out the killing.
The 36-year-old, whose statement is considered crucial to the investigation, reportedly accepted the job for payment at first, but later told investigators he had not wanted to go through with it. According to police sources, he said that despite the pressure he tried to contact the businessman. On his arrest he reportedly said he would never have done such a thing to him.
The businessman had known him since he was young and regarded him as his own child. The former employee allegedly knew his habits and movements and had access to his car.
His alleged task was to plant an explosive device in the businessman’s car. It was to be detonated by remote control while the businessman was inside, outside a nightclub or hotel in Limassol.
Phileleftheros understands that the first of two wanted men allegedly contacted him to say he would need him for a serious “job”, told him not to worry and promised to sort out his residence papers. “Don’t worry, the police are ours,” he allegedly said.
The following evening, the same man allegedly put him in touch by video call with the second wanted man. That man reportedly told him he would be very satisfied once the job was done, because they would send money to his daughter and arrange papers for him to live legally in Cyprus.
The 36-year-old claimed the first man sent him 15,400 USDT in cryptocurrency, worth about 13,870 euros, through Revolut transfers, and gave him a further 2,000 to 3,000 euros in cash. When he asked what the money was for, the man allegedly replied that he wanted him to stay in Cyprus and would be in touch if he needed him.
The 36-year-old, a Bulgarian national, had been deported from Cyprus in 2014. He reportedly told investigators he returned in April 2026, travelling first to Turkey and then crossing from the occupied north into the government-controlled areas. Back in Cyprus, he allegedly met his former employer again in Limassol and began working at one of his nightclubs, and later worked for the first wanted man.
Range Rover dispute
His testimony also reportedly gives a different account of the financial dispute between the businessman and the first wanted man.
According to his statement, the man told him he had fallen out with the businessman over a Range Rover. By the man’s account, the businessman had given him the car and then taken it back. The man also allegedly complained that he had given the businessman expensive gifts and money, but the businessman kept asking for more.
Third person sought
Investigators are also looking for a third person. According to testimony before the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE), this person allegedly played a key role by taking a second detonator to a 70-year-old suspect, a former fellow inmate of the businessman, after the first detonator was destroyed.
Four people are being held on eight-day remand, as investigators race to trace the money trail and communications with Dubai and to establish each person’s exact role in the alleged plot.
According to police sources, 23 statements had been taken by Wednesday, with about 41 more pending in Nicosia and Limassol. Investigators are expected to question family members, friends and associates of both the suspects and the complainant, as well as others who may be linked directly or indirectly to the case.
