Attempted murder in Agia Napa: 15 shell casings and burnt Volvo — brother of lifer targeted in possible contract killing
Unknown gunmen opened fire on a 33-year-old Greek Cypriot in Agia Napa, brother of a man convicted of quadruple murder. Police concerned about a new cycle of violence.
Ambush with 15 shell casings in Agia Napa — police fear new cycle of bloodshed
Unknown assailants shot a 33-year-old Greek Cypriot in the early hours of Friday in the Kokkines area of Agia Napa, in an ambush set up just metres from his residence. According to Philenews, the target is the brother of a 48-year-old lifer convicted of quadruple murder, and investigators believe there is a death contract against him in a case linked to organised crime.
The attack occurred 20 minutes before 6 in the morning. As soon as the 33-year-old turned into his car, the assailants opened fire and hit the vehicle several times — the bullets also struck a neighbouring house. He himself was unharmed. More than 15 shell casings were recovered from the scene, which were sent for forensic examination.
Shortly after the attack, a Volvo with false registration plates was found burning in an open area in the Avgoru district. The Ammochostos Police Press Officer, Andreas Konstantinou, confirmed that the vehicle was linked to the attempted murder. Following examination, it was established that the Volvo had been reported as stolen to the Larnaca Traffic Police in the preceding days.
The most likely scenario, according to police sources, is that the assailants sought to send a message to the 48-year-old lifer through the murder of his brother. The lifer maintains businesses in Agia Napa and is under the "microscope" of investigators, along with the activities of his 33-year-old brother, who had not previously attracted police attention. The investigation was extended to the Central Prisons. Investigators are also processing material from closed-circuit surveillance systems to track the movements of the assailants.
The case is causing serious concern in the police force, as Agia Napa is the area with the most serious crimes over the last fifteen years. On 23 June 2012 a fivefold murder was committed there. Exactly four years later, on 23 June 2016, a quadruple murder followed in a restaurant in front of dozens of patrons, a few minutes after 10 in the evening.
The target in both attacks was businessman Fanos Kalopsidiotis. In the second, in 2016, Kalopsidiotis, police sergeant Ilias Hatzieuthymiou and his wife Skepi were killed, while one of the assailants was also found dead at the scene. For the quadruple murder the 48-year-old was convicted in September 2017 to four consecutive life sentences.
The local police force was placed on full alert over fears that Friday's attempted murder might upset the balance in Agia Napa and trigger a new cycle of violence.
Source: Philenews