Authorities foiled a criminal act that the perpetrators had planned to commit in Cyprus, with twin siblings from a third country as the intended victims, following a “red alert” issued in Denmark.
After receiving information from foreign intelligence agencies, the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus proceeded to arrest three individuals from Ireland and Norway.
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The three suspects were brought before the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, which ordered their detention for eight days.
According to testimony presented in court, the targets were reportedly two foreign nationals, twin brothers, who were due to arrive in Cyprus for a vacation.
READ ALSO: The mystery surrounding the planned murders in Cyprus unravels; the evidence that led to the arrests
In fact, according to the evidence, the three suspects allegedly sought out a hitman online, unaware that they had fallen into a trap set by the Danish police.
The man they contacted, who presented himself as a hitman, was in fact an undercover police officer, as the investigating judge stated in court.
As soon as it became clear that the plan involved murders in Cyprus, the Cypriot authorities and Europol were notified. According to the evidence presented in court, the amount allegedly offered for the two murders was close to 650,000 Danish kroner, or approximately 85,000 euros.
The undercover police officer traveled to Cyprus on August 24, accompanied by a team of Danish investigators. Upon his arrival, he contacted his handlers via the Signal app, and after receiving instructions, he went to a location in Larnaca where he collected 200 euros.
READ ALSO: Planned murders in Cyprus foiled; arrests in Larnaca and Famagusta—Police on high alert
The movements of those involved were placed under close surveillance. Police officers located a rental car driven by one of the suspects, who was reportedly searching for the location where the money had been hidden. This was followed by another meeting with one of the suspects and another handover of money, this time inside a paper box hidden behind a basket containing 1,000 euros.
The three suspects have made claims, which are currently under investigation. One of the three appears to be known in Norway and was, in fact, wanted for offenses involving weapons possession and threats.
Watch Erika Kavazi’s report:
