A “court” in the occupied north has extended the detention of a man for six additional days after he was arrested attempting to depart from Kyrenia port in a car allegedly bearing bullet marks covered with paint.
The man, who reportedly confessed to involvement in the January 6 Potamia incident in which Cyprus Police killed a 24-year-old Pakistani man, faces charges of human trafficking and entering a restricted military zone.
At the “court” hearing in occupied Nicosia, an officer testified that bullet marks covered with paint were found on the suspect’s vehicle.
According to proceedings, the suspect told investigators he had disposed of the mobile phone used during the Potamia incident and refused to provide the access code for a new phone found in his possession at the time of arrest.
He also revealed that through the Information Exchange Office of the Technical Committee on Crime, authorities learned the deceased Pakistani national was 24-year-old Shoaib Khan. Records showed Khan had entered the occupied north on November 29, 2021, with a 60-day residence permit, but had no record of legal exit.
The six-day detention extension was requested to allow investigators to examine the suspect’s mobile phone and conduct further enquiries.
The incident occurred near the buffer zone near Potamia. Initial police reports indicated the shooting occurred while officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be involved in a smuggling operation. However, forensic findings suggesting the man was shot in the back have raised questions and contradicted the initial police account.
A 39-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the car that transported the victim to Nicosia, has been arrested in connection with the case. Police seized €2,380 in cash at his residence.
He faces charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and facilitating illegal entry into the Republic of Cyprus.
The Republic has officially requested the handover of four Turkish Cypriots believed to be involved in the incident.
Read more:
