Larnaca, Cyprus. The trial of four men accused of participating in a criminal organisation was adjourned on Monday until September 16, with proceedings due to continue before the Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court. Three of the defendants remain free on bail following a court review of changes made to the indictment.
Detention review
The three men, aged 42 and 29, had challenged their continued detention through their defence lawyers, who argued that several charges had been removed from the case.
The court found that the substantial amendments justified a reassessment of their detention status. It also considered the defendants’ personal circumstances and their ties to Cyprus, and concluded that the risk of them fleeing the country had been reduced.
They were released under strict conditions, including a €30,000 bond each with reliable guarantors, the surrender of travel documents and reporting to a police station three times a week.
Separate custody case
The fourth defendant, a 22-year-old contract soldier, remains in custody and is also facing charges related to the attempted murder of a prominent businessman.
Investigation
Police launched an operation in Larnaca and the central prisons on January 22 targeting an organised crime syndicate suspected of extortion, violence and money laundering.
According to police, the group operated a protection racket against local businesses and sought to control nightclub security in the city.
The investigation focused on a violent clash on January 17 near Larnaca police headquarters, where gunfire erupted during a confrontation involving knives, metal bars and an axe.
