Five new arrests, a weapon, and equipment that has raised alarm.
Cypriot authorities carried out a new coordinated operation in the Paphos district, bringing the total number of people arrested in connection with the alleged plot to murder the twins in Ayia Napa to eight.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
All are of Swedish origin
They include two 22-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 25-year-old, and a 28-year-old, all of Swedish origin. The five were stopped while traveling in a vehicle and arrested pursuant to court warrants to facilitate the investigation. A search of the vehicle uncovered significant evidence. A pistol, two knives, gloves, masks, and three cell phones were seized by the authorities. A search was also conducted at their residence in Paphos, where eight additional cell phones, $1,400, documents, notes, and other evidence were found.
“The police proceeded to arrest five more individuals in connection with an ongoing investigation into a conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal organization; and an 8-day detention order was issued against them,”
Byron Vyronos – Police Spokesperson
The Unraveling of the Case
The case began to unravel after information reached the police via Europol from the Danish authorities. This information concerned planned murders of twins from Britain who were to be in Cyprus on vacation, in exchange for payment.
Initially, three suspects—aged 33, 34, and 35—were arrested and have been in custody since last week. The three suspects, from Norway and Ireland, fell into a police trap when they contacted an undercover officer posing as a hitman.
“The police evaluate every piece of information and every available means… related to organized crime.”
Byron Vyronos – Police Spokesperson
The online ad
The case appears to have begun with an online ad seeking a hitman within the European Union for a fee of 87,000 euros.
The Danish police officer contacted them via the Signal app. When he arrived in Cyprus, they had paid him cash left at specific locations and had arranged for him to obtain two magazines.
The case is taking on international dimensions, with investigations continuing in cooperation with authorities in other countries and Europol.
The question that remains: Who gave the order, and who is behind the alleged contract killing?
Watch Erika Kavazi’s report:
