Larnaca, Cyprus. A 48-year-old alleged ringleader of a crime syndicate linked to a mass brawl in central Larnaca was ordered by a court on Monday to remain in custody for a further two days. Police said investigations into the case are ongoing.
Court appearance and charges
The 48-year-old appeared in court after undergoing surgery for injuries described as “blows to his head and hand”. He is facing charges including extortion, demanding property with threats, actual bodily harm, and the illegal possession of explosives, among others.
Five other suspects remanded
The hearing followed a separate court decision to renew the remand of five other men arrested in connection with the same alleged syndicate for a further eight days, as the investigation continues.
The suspects are aged 42, 31, two aged 29, and 22. They were arrested during a police operation in Larnaca and in the central prison.
The court said there was “reasonable suspicion” the suspects were involved and ordered they be remanded for eight days starting from Friday, the day the application was filed.
Evidence cited by police
The court heard police found videos on the 22-year-old’s mobile phone dated between 2023 and 2025, as part of investigations into the attempted murder of a 47-year-old businessman in Larnaca on July 31, 2025. The videos allegedly showed large sums of cash and the concealment of objects believed to be narcotics.
Police said they had been collecting evidence for the past six months and that investigations were ongoing.
Next investigative steps
Police said the suspects were to be interrogated and testimonies taken from more than 32 people from their environment, including family, friends, associates, club owners and security guards. Authorities were also to examine CCTV footage and conduct forensic tests on mobile phones.
Background to the arrests
The five men appeared before the Larnaca district court on Friday after being arrested on Thursday night as part of a sting operation targeting organised crime in the town.
Police linked the arrests to an alleged criminal syndicate that for three years reportedly imposed security guards at Larnaca nightclubs to collect money for “protection”.
What impact do you think these remand decisions could have on the ongoing investigation?