Three men wanted by Cypriot authorities are included in the new appeal from the campaign “The EU’s Most Wanted,” which targets fugitives from 14 countries and was presented in a Europol announcement published on Thursday.
Of the three individuals wanted by Cyprus, one, Irakli Diakonasvili, is wanted for sexual offenses against a child, while the other two, Alex Burelli and David Gazayev, are wanted for various serious offenses, including, among others, murder, attempted murder, arson, extortion, and participation in a criminal organization.
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For sexual offenses
Irakli Diakonasvili, a Georgian national, is wanted by Cyprus for offenses involving rape, sexual exploitation of children, and child pornography.
According to Europol’s description of the case, the investigation concerns a complaint filed in November 2023 by a 12-year-old child, who told a doctor at Nicosia General Hospital that he had been sexually abused by a friend of his mother’s. The case is under investigation.
Regarding other serious offenses
Alex Burelli, an Albanian national, is wanted in connection with a case involving homicide, arson, and causing serious bodily harm. According to Europol, the case involves an armed attack on a restaurant in Ayia Napa on June 23, 2016, during which three people were killed— a businessman, a police officer, and his wife, while a second police officer and one other person were seriously injured.
Europol reports that the suspect is also alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to commit other murders in Cyprus as part of the same criminal group.
David Gazayev is wanted for attempted murder, money laundering, participation in a criminal organization, extortion, and related offenses. According to Europol, on September 29, 2025, he allegedly went with another suspect to a hotel in Limassol, where he shot a 42-year-old Ukrainian national in the abdomen, and also attacked a bystander.
Europol reports that the investigation revealed evidence suggesting the motive was linked to a case of extortion involving the demand for a large sum of money, accompanied by threats against the victim’s life. It adds that, according to information received from Russian authorities, Gazaev holds a high-ranking position in a criminal organization allegedly involved in burglaries, thefts, robberies, and extortion, and is classified as a high-risk individual.
The new appeal from the “EU’s Most Wanted” campaign focuses on fugitives wanted for crimes against children and the elderly, including cases of child sexual exploitation and fraud targeting the elderly.
The European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST), with the support of Europol, is calling on the public to review the profiles of those wanted and submit any information that could help law enforcement authorities locate them.
According to Europol, the appeal includes both suspects wanted to face criminal proceedings and convicted offenders who are evading justice.
Nineteen individuals are wanted in connection with cases in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, and Spain.
Europol urges citizens not to approach individuals they recognize as wanted persons, but to submit their information anonymously via the “EU’s Most Wanted” website. The information is forwarded directly to the relevant national fugitive search teams.
It should be noted that the website, created by ENFAST and Europol in 2016, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. According to Europol, since the website went live, 191 fugitives have been arrested after their profiles were posted on the site. In 58 of these cases, information provided by members of the public contributed to the arrests.
So far in 2026, 16 fugitives listed on the website have been arrested, and in four of these cases, the arrests were made possible thanks to information from the public.
Source: CNA
