Supreme Court: Appeal against casino search warrant in Pyla rejected
Cyprus's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal against a search warrant executed in February at a gambling establishment in Pyla, as part of an investigation into extortion, threats, criminal organisation and serious bodily harm.
Supreme Court: Appeal against casino search warrant in Pyla rejected
Cyprus's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal for the annulment of a search warrant executed in February at a gambling establishment in Pyla. The investigation concerns multiple offences, including extortion, obtaining property through threats, participation in a criminal organisation, and causing serious bodily harm.
The appellant, who manages the establishment and is remanded in custody at Central Prisons, sought the annulment of the warrant. According to evidence presented to the court, police are investigating complaints against the appellant and two other individuals for offences allegedly committed during 2025.
When the appellant was arrested on 18 January 2026, authorities confiscated his two mobile phones. In their memory, a large number of photographs and video footage was found showing seven people trapped in a space resembling an office-room. The footage records the appellant along with others extorting, threatening and assaulting the victims with bare hands and various objects, causing them injuries.
The audiovisual material appears to have been recorded between June and September 2025, according to what is stated in the court decision. Additionally, analysis conducted determined that all recordings were made within the establishment's premises where the appellant held a managerial role.
The warrant issued authorised the entry into the premises to search for items such as firearms, blades and assault tools used in the beating of victims. At the same time, it permitted the collection of DNA samples and examination of the location where the illegal acts were committed.
In its decision, the Supreme Court stressed that the items being sought had a logical connection to the premises subjected to search. For this reason, the issuance of the warrant was deemed necessary and proportionate. The court concluded that the appellant's arguments lacked legal foundation and rejected the appeal.
Three individuals are involved in the case in total. The appellant remains remanded in custody, the second is being sought by authorities, whilst the third was arrested and released after his statements were verified.
Source: PhileNews
Source: Philenews