Three arrested in Cyprus over alleged plot to murder British twin brothers

Nicosia, Cyprus. Two Norwegian nationals and one Irish national have been arrested over an alleged plot to murder British twin brothers who were expected to holiday in Cyprus. The suspects allegedly hired an undercover police officer, believing him to be a contract killer they had found on the dark web.

Undercover operation

The three suspects travelled to Cyprus to meet the alleged assassin, who was an undercover police officer from Denmark participating in an operation led by the Police Headquarters’ Special Investigative Team.

The operation, which lasted several days, was carried out in cooperation with Europol and authorities in several European countries.

Intended targets

Authorities sought to locate the intended targets, two British nationals with criminal records, but were unable to find them. Europol has been informed and is carrying out checks to trace the pair.

Information gathered so far indicates that the twins had holidayed in the government-controlled area of Famagusta a few weeks earlier and appeared to be planning to return to Cyprus.

Detention and investigation

The three suspects have been remanded in custody for eight days and have so far declined to speak to investigators. Police believe they may be members of a criminal group rather than the masterminds behind the alleged planned double killing.

One of the Norwegian suspects has a criminal record in Norway, including convictions for threats and extortion, and is wanted there in connection with weapons possession and threats offences. Police have requested information from Norway and Ireland on the criminal records of the other two suspects.

Alleged arrangements

The Famagusta District Court heard last Saturday that the group had offered the purported hitman about €85,000, equivalent to 650,000 Danish kroner, to kill the twins.

The Danish officer, posing as the hitman, communicated with the client through Signal and received a ticket to travel from Copenhagen to Cyprus. He arrived on August 24 with a team of Danish investigators.

The three suspects allegedly arrived in Cyprus to provide an ammunition magazine, a motorcycle and cash. After leaving money at several locations for the officer to collect, they were placed under surveillance and arrested on August 27.

Further inquiries

Police are examining the suspects’ mobile phones and seeking CCTV footage from Ayia Napa, where the Irish suspect had been staying, and Larnaca, where the two Norwegian suspects had been staying.

The motive for the alleged planned killings has not yet been established.