Larnaca, Cyprus. Police have issued four arrest warrants following a violent brawl and gunshots outside Larnaca police headquarters. Court information outlined alleged extortion calls made to a local car rental business owner in the weeks before the incident.
Arrest warrants and remand
The warrants concern three foreign nationals and a 48-year-old Cypriot, who was arrested at hospital where he was taken injured after the incident. A court ordered the 48-year-old’s eight-day remand in custody.
Alleged extortion demands
According to information presented to the court, police obtained witness statements indicating the chain of events began around two weeks earlier, when the car rental business owner allegedly received a phone call from a withheld number.
The caller, speaking broken Greek, is said to have initially demanded €6,000 and later €7,000 in exchange for “protection” for the business. The complainant reportedly refused.
The same individual then allegedly demanded €1,000 per month for protection, again to no avail. During the call, the man is said to have mentioned a specific name and warned the complainant, “You will find out who I am,” which the businessman perceived as a threat before ending the call.
Second call and arrival at workshop
A few days before the brawl, on January 13, 2026, the complainant said he received another call from a withheld number while at a mechanic’s workshop.
The caller allegedly asked in broken Greek, “When will you bring me the money?” The complainant recognised the voice as that of the same man who had contacted him two weeks earlier and who again identified himself using the same name.
Around 15 minutes later, a black vehicle reportedly arrived at the workshop. The man who allegedly made the calls got out of the driver’s seat, while a second individual, using crutches, exited from the passenger side.
What do you think the court will focus on most when assessing the alleged extortion calls?
