The 18-year-old National Guard member in Paphos was passing through the neighborhood when he spotted and killed a kitten using a firearm that had belonged to a relative who had passed away.
Specifically, on October 4, a 56-year-old Greek Cypriot reported to the police that he had found his cat dead outside his home the previous day.
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Members of the Animal Protection Unit and the Paphos Central Police Station went to the scene that same day to investigate. On Monday, October 5, a necropsy was performed on the animal, during which it was determined that it had 13 bullet pellets in its body.
According to Paphos Assistant Police Director of Operations Michalis Nikolaou, police investigations at the scene footage was obtained from a closed-circuit surveillance camera that captured the suspect’s vehicle, which led to the identification of the 18-year-old; the vehicle belongs to a close relative of his. The firearm belongs to a close relative of his who has since passed away.
The 18-year-old National Guard member was arrested and brought before the Paphos District Court, where a four-day detention order was issued. During a search of his home, a number of items of evidence were found and seized.
Mr. Nikolaou states that the 18-year-old’s presence in the area was coincidental and that he was merely driving by in his vehicle, having no connection to the 56-year-old complainant.
The 18-year-old has confessed to committing the offenses related to the illegal possession and transport of a hunting rifle and explosive materials, the killing of animals, and firing a gun in a residential area.
The Paphos CID is continuing its investigation.
*The featured photo was generated using artificial intelligence.
