Larnaca, Cyprus. The Larnaca District Court on Friday remanded two men described as prominent businessmen, aged 47 and 43, in custody for four days in connection with last weekend’s shooting in Larnaca town centre.
They were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour and interference with judicial proceedings, while the 47-year-old also faces a separate allegation of illegal possession of property.
Court proceedings and police claims
Armed police were deployed inside the courtroom amid heightened security.
A police representative told the court the arrests relate to a meeting held on Wednesday between the two businessmen and a complainant in the shooting case. Police said the meeting came to the attention of investigators, prompting the complainant to give a statement containing a series of allegations.
Defence remarks
Defence lawyer Antonis Demetriou did not object to the remand but questioned whether police were aware the meeting was friendly in nature and whether the complainant had previously worked as a security guard for the 43-year-old.
He also said that after giving his statement to police, the complainant allegedly sought employment from the 47-year-old.
Search and additional arrests
The 47-year-old was arrested at his company’s offices, where officers seized a large sum of cash and several bank cheques.
Three other men, aged 44, 50 and 38, were also arrested at the location on suspicion of working as unlicensed security guards and possessing wireless communication devices.
What do you think the court should consider when assessing remand requests in cases linked to alleged interference with judicial proceedings?
