Four Palestinians detained on terrorism charges in Cyprus – two hold Cypriot citizenship
Four Palestinians have been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks against Israeli targets. Explosive manufacturing materials, including ammonium nitrate, were found at their two homes.
Explosives found at two homes – four Palestinian suspects to be brought before Larnaca court
Investigations are ongoing, under strict confidentiality, by the Police and cooperating agencies into the case of the arrest of four individuals of Palestinian origin who are suspected of terrorism, according to Philenews. The suspects are believed to have been planning attacks in Cyprus against targets linked to Israelis, in retaliation for events in the Gaza Strip.
In detention are a 32-year-old and a 38-year-old, who have been linked to large quantities of explosive manufacturing materials, as well as a 54-year-old and a 57-year-old who are believed to be their associates. The latter two, who were arrested last week, have been living in Cyprus for many years — a fact that has caused particular concern among the authorities, who are investigating their past and contacts. Both are believed to have obtained Cypriot citizenship.
Today marks the end of their eight-day detention order and they are expected to be brought before the Larnaca District Court, where a closed-door procedure will be held to request renewal of their detention. Tomorrow, in a separate closed-door procedure, a second request for renewal of detention is expected for the other two Palestinians, who are facing terrorism charges and participation in a criminal organisation. One of them is believed to have admitted that the targets would be Israeli, though without clarifying the location of the attacks.
The 32-year-old and the 38-year-old are believed to have played a key role in the case, whilst investigation is underway into whether they were cooperating with other individuals in the country. The 32-year-old, who has been living in Cyprus in recent years, has been linked to both a house in Governer's Beach and a flat in Kamares, Larnaca, where he lived with his family. Explosive manufacturing materials, including ammonium nitrate, were found at both residences — chemicals that may have come from the Cypriot market. The 38-year-old is believed to have been linked to the same materials; he was living illegally in Cyprus and is believed to have entered the territory of the Republic from the occupied areas.
The first large quantity of explosive materials was discovered at the residence in Governer's Beach on Thursday 21 May. Two days later, a second quantity was found in a second-floor flat in a multi-storey building in Kamares, which was under surveillance. All findings have been sent for specialist scientific examination, which according to a source is expected to be completed within the coming days.
Source: Philenews