The Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court has postponed until November 23 the case of the four defendants charged with participation in a criminal organization, following a substantial amendment to the indictment.
It should be noted that at a previous hearing, three of the four defendants were released on bail. The Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court based its decision on the removal of certain charges from the indictment.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The defendants are a 42-year-old and two 29-year-olds, whose defense attorneys had objected to their detention.
The only defendant remaining is the 22-year-old SYOP, who is also charged with the attempted murder of a well-known businessman, while a 32-year-old man had been acquitted at a previous hearing due to insufficient evidence.
Several charges have been dropped from the indictment in this case.
The 42-year-old now faces charges of money laundering as well as participation in a criminal organization, while the two 29-year-olds face an additional charge of aiding and abetting money laundering.
It should be noted that the four defendants were arrested on January 22 by the police as part of a major operation carried out in Larnaca and at the Central Prison.
As part of the searches of the defendants’ homes, the following items, among others, were located and seized as evidence: a sum of 1,050 euros, gold jewelry of as yet unknown value, cell phones, two bulletproof vests, two replica pistols, a folding bat, and other items that will be evaluated as part of the investigation.
At the same time, two vehicles were seized and transported to the Larnaca Police Headquarters for further examination.
During a search of a residence, a firearm was discovered, and subsequent investigations revealed that the 29-year-old individual did not possess a license to acquire or possess said firearm; therefore, he was re-arrested for the flagrant offense of illegal possession of a firearm.
Source: CNA
