Larnaca, Cyprus. Two businessmen, aged 47 and 43, appeared in court on Wednesday after being arrested over alleged involvement in a shooting in central Larnaca in January. The proceedings were adjourned until June 17 following a defence request for evidence.
Adjournment and initial pleas
During the first hearing on January 27, the two men appeared before Larnaca district court under strict security measures and pleaded not guilty to charges of interfering with the judicial process and conspiring to commit a misdemeanour.
Additional charge and items found
The 47-year-old is also charged with illegal possession of property believed to be stolen after €103,915 in cash and 42 cheques worth a total of €560,000 were found in his office.
Bail conditions
At the January 27 hearing, both businessmen were released on €80,000 bail each, with conditions including reporting to police twice weekly and refraining from travelling north.
Background to arrests
The two were remanded in custody for four days in early January on suspicion of interfering with the shooting incident near the police station in central Larnaca on January 17. Police said the arrests were linked to a meeting between the two businessmen and a complainant in the shooting case, who later provided a statement containing allegations.
Timeline and related arrests
The 47-year-old was apprehended at his company’s offices on January 19 and the 43-year-old at his home later the same day. In total, five people were arrested in connection with the violent brawl and shooting, including three others aged 50, 44 and 38, who were detained at the location on suspicion of working as unlicensed security guards and possessing wireless communication devices.
What do you think the June 17 court hearing will clarify about the allegations in the case?
