Eight Swedes arrested in Paphos over twin murder conspiracy
Five new arrests in Paphos bring the total number of detainees to eight in connection with an investigation into planned contract killings in Cyprus.
Second strike team found armed in vehicle — total of eight suspects in custody
Five Swedish citizens were arrested in Paphos province as part of an investigation into murder conspiracy and involvement in a criminal organisation, bringing the total number of detainees to eight, according to Philenews sources.
The newly arrested individuals are two 22-year-olds, one 21-year-old, one 25-year-old and one 28-year-old, all Swedish nationals. Court warrants were issued against them following the evaluation of information and evidence.
During a coordinated operation, police stopped a vehicle in which the five were travelling. Inside the car, officers found and seized a pistol, two knives, gloves, masks and three mobile phones. Police had been monitoring the suspects and proceeded with their arrest at the moment they entered the vehicle armed.
A search of their accommodation in Paphos yielded an additional eight mobile phones, a sum of 1,400 dollars, documents, notes and other evidence.
According to Philenews sources, authorities believe the five comprised a second strike team which arrived in Cyprus after the arrest of the first three suspects, with the aim of proceeding with the execution of the planned murders. Two of the five are reportedly flagged in Sweden and have been of concern to their country's authorities as suspects in murder cases.
The intended targets of the planned murders are reportedly two foreign nationals from a third country, twin brothers, who were due to visit Cyprus for a holiday. The brothers remain missing, a fact which leaves open the possibility that other persons residing in or present in the country may also have been in the crosshairs.
How the plot was uncovered
The investigation began following information conveyed to Cyprus Police via Europol by Danish authorities. Two Norwegians and one Irishman, aged 33 to 35, are reportedly sought a contract killer via the internet and fell into a trap set by Danish police, who have long used undercover officers to prevent murders.
The undercover officer, who presented himself as a contract killer, once established that the planned murders concerned Cyprus, informed his authorities and Europol, who in turn alerted Cypriot Police. The suspects are reported to have offered the contract killer approximately 85,000 euros (650,000 Danish kroner) for the murder of the two brothers.
Via the Signal application, the undercover officer received instructions and travelled to a location in Larnaca, where he was given 200 euros. He was then directed to Ayia Napa, where he stayed in a hotel. Later he was sent a location to collect additional funds. There he spotted a person in dark clothing leaving an envelope beside a white vehicle.
On 24 August, a car in Ayia Napa was placed under surveillance, in which two of the suspects were travelling with two women. The undercover officer met with one of them and received a cardboard box containing 1,000 euros. Those involved were immediately placed under police surveillance.
The first three arrests and court proceedings
On 27 August the first three suspects were arrested — two Norwegians and one Irishman. The first claimed he was in Cyprus for a holiday. The second was found to be flagged in his country, facing convictions for threats and extortion, and was wanted for possession of weapons. All three remain in eight-day custody.
The five newly arrested individuals were brought before the District Court of Famagusta, which issued a detention order for eight days. The investigation is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team from Police Headquarters in cooperation with the relevant European authorities.
Source: Philenews