Larnaca, Cyprus. A district court in Larnaca overturned part of the police handling of arrests tied to a serious brawl involving gunfire near the Larnaca police headquarters. The court released one person and reduced the remand period sought for two others.
Incident and suspects
A 48-year-old Cypriot national, known to police from previous cases, was arrested in connection with the incident. Three foreign nationals aged 35, 26 and 20 remain at large and have not been located despite ongoing police efforts.
The 48-year-old was remanded in custody for eight days, with the procedure carried out at Larnaca general hospital, where he is being treated after sustaining injuries during the brawl.
Searches and arrests
Police said searches in various premises in Larnaca led officers to an apartment occupied by three people aged 26, 28 and 29. Eight 9mm cartridges were found and seized.
Although the occupants were not among the wanted suspects, all three were arrested for the flagrant offence of illegal possession of explosive materials and taken into custody to assist investigations.
Court decisions on remand
The three were brought before Larnaca district court on Sunday morning. One was released after the court ruled that insufficient evidence had been presented against him.
Police requested an eight-day remand for the remaining two, but the court rejected the length of the request, ruling it was not justified for the completion of investigations. A four-day remand order was issued instead.
What do you think the court’s remand decision indicates about the evidence presented by police?