Six suspects in alleged Cyprus murder-for-hire plot face deportation

Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Six suspects arrested over an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting British twin brothers will be deported within days, police said on Monday after detention and deportation orders were issued.

Two further suspects, aged 33 and 35, who were arrested on August 29, were due to appear before Famagusta district court later on Monday, where their case was expected to be referred to the criminal court.

Investigation

The investigation began after Danish authorities passed information to Cyprus police through Europol concerning planned contract killings on the island.

The intended targets were identified as twin brothers from Britain who had been expected to arrive in Cyprus for a holiday.

The Liverpool Echo named the brothers as Jamie and Aaron Small, former wrestlers who had previously been staying in the Famagusta area before leaving Cyprus.

Police cooperation

The brothers are believed to have left after European law enforcement agencies intervened. Merseyside Police is participating in a search for them alongside Interpol.

Merseyside Police confirmed that it is in contact with authorities in Cyprus and is providing support.

Reported details of alleged plot

A joint investigation by the Irish Times, the Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network, Norway’s VG and Sweden’s SVT reported that Irish security sources believe the alleged hit was commissioned by people close to the Irish Kinahan organised crime cartel.

According to the investigation, the alleged plot emerged on August 10, when a user using the pseudonym Sponge Jobb offered cryptocurrency payment on the encrypted platform Signal for a contract killing within the European Union.

An undercover Danish officer posing as a hitman was allegedly given photographs of the twins and told firearms had been sourced from Turkey, before being directed to collect payment in Ayia Napa.