One of four men arrested in Larnaca over an alleged Hamas network based in Cyprus has four children serving in the country’s security forces, Phileleftheros reports.
The suspect, who is in his fifties, has a son in the Cyprus Police — reported by Phileleftheros two days ago — and three more children serving in the National Guard on contract. At least two of the three are stationed in the same unit.
The information was received within the previous 24 hours and cross-checked with a source in a position to know the facts surrounding the case.
Sources consulted by Phileleftheros confirmed that the matter has been examined and adequately assessed by the competent authorities as part of the terrorism investigation. It was indicated repeatedly that the situation has been handled not only by the Cyprus Police and the National Guard, but also by a competent state service, with all three working in cooperation.
“Nothing has emerged regarding his children that would give cause for concern about state security. The matter is being monitored and the appropriate steps are being taken,” an official who spoke to Phileleftheros said.
A separate source, also in a position to know details of the police-officer son’s professional conduct, echoed that assessment. “He has given no cause for concern through his behaviour,” the source said.
The police officer works in a sensitive post and, by the nature of his duties, has access to a database containing information on both Cypriot nationals and foreign nationals.
The arrested suspect’s background is being assessed by competent Republic authorities. He is described as having been radicalised for some time.
Security authorities have information indicating he attended events in support of the October 7, 2023 attack, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel that left hundreds dead.
The suspect has been in Cyprus for four decades, since the mid-1980s, and holds Cypriot citizenship. Many observers note that his children are therefore Cypriot and that there is no issue with their employment in the police or the military.
The counterargument, however, is that no risk to public and national security can be accepted, and that legislation should exist to account for even the most extreme scenarios.
The case came to light in the final ten days of last month, when chemical substances used in the manufacture of high-powered explosives were found at two properties in Governor’s Beach and Kamares, Larnaca.
Two Palestinians, aged 32 and 38, were arrested first, followed by two further suspects aged 57 and 54.
Last Saturday, Greek Police and the Greek National Intelligence Service arrested a 37-year-old in Crete on suspicion of involvement with the same network.
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