A 32-year-old Greek Cypriot suspected of arson in Troodos State Forest has admitted to discarding three cigarettes during his journey to the area, though he denies malicious intent to start a fire.
Limassol District Court on Monday ordered the suspect’s detention for six days following a police application. The man appeared before the court after his arrest in connection with a fire that occurred on Thursday evening (4 September) near Troodos.
During police questioning, the suspect placed himself at the scene both temporally and geographically, stating he threw three extinguished cigarettes from his vehicle while driving towards Platres square. He maintained the cigarettes were extinguished and denied any intention to cause a fire.
Court orders six-day detention for 32-year-old Greek Cypriot
The suspect told investigators he works at the old Limassol Hospital and finished his shift around 20:00 on Thursday evening. He said that disappointment over lack of response from family and friends on his birthday prompted him to drive to Troodos for a walk to calm down and think.
“During the journey to Platres square, he was smoking and throwing cigarettes on the road,” according to his written statement. He admitted discarding one cigarette near Troodos camp, claiming it was extinguished, and acknowledged throwing three cigarettes total from his vehicle.
Police investigation began after they received information from a citizen on 5 September. The informant reported seeing a specific vehicle driven by a young person throwing an object on Thursday evening, though the witness refused to provide written testimony, requesting anonymity.
Solid petroleum evidence found at forest fire location
Investigations revealed the vehicle was registered to a relative of the 32-year-old suspect. When police visited his residence, the man confirmed he drives the vehicle and subsequently attended Limassol CID offices for questioning.
Police and fire service personnel who responded to the scene discovered and collected solid petroleum as evidence. On 5 September, a fire service officer examined the evidence using specialised detection equipment, confirming the presence of flammable material.
The fire was discovered around 21:00 on Thursday when a citizen driving on the Platres-Troodos road noticed flames on the roadside covering three to four square metres. The citizen extinguished the fire before it could spread.
Police plan to take 22 additional statements, investigate the suspect’s claims and movements, obtain written testimony from the informant, and examine closed-circuit television footage from the area.
The suspect faces investigation for arson and offences related to forest law.
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