Five more arrested in alleged Cyprus murder-for-hire plot

Paphos, Cyprus. Five more people were arrested in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight, police said on Saturday. The suspects were detained during a coordinated operation in the Paphos district on Friday.

Police operation

The five suspects, aged 21, 25, 28 and two aged 22, were arrested after evidence against them emerged from the assessment of information and material gathered during the investigation, police said.

Arrest warrants were issued and police intercepted a vehicle carrying the suspects during Friday’s operation. A search of the vehicle uncovered a pistol, two knives, gloves, masks and three mobile phones, which were seized.

Further evidence seized

Police also searched the suspects’ accommodation in Paphos and seized another eight mobile phones, $1,400 in cash, documents, notes and other evidence.

The five were taken into custody and were expected to appear before court on Saturday for a remand hearing.

Investigation continues

The investigation began after Cypriot police received information through Europol from Danish authorities concerning alleged plans to carry out killings in Cyprus in exchange for payment.

Three people aged 33, 34 and 35 were previously arrested during police operations in the Larnaca and Famagusta districts. They were remanded in custody for eight days.

The case concerns suspected conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal organisation. A special investigative team from police headquarters is continuing investigations in cooperation with Europol and law enforcement authorities in other countries.