Two well-known businessmen, aged 47 and 43, appeared under tight security at the Larnaca District Court charged with interfering with judicial proceedings after allegedly trying to persuade a witness to change his testimony about a shooting 100 metres from the police headquarters.
The case was filed following the unprecedented incident of a brawl and shooting on Saturday, 17 January. Both men face charges of interference with judicial proceedings and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour after allegedly meeting with the complainant on 21 January to convince him to change his statement.
Additionally, the 47-year-old faces a charge of illegal possession of property after police found €103,915 in cash and 42 cheques worth €560,000 at his company offices, which, according to what was stated in court, are reasonably suspected to be stolen.
Both businessmen pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case was set for 11 March 2026.
The accused were released on bail with conditions to each pay €80,000 in cash and surrender their travel documents. They must report to a police station twice weekly, whilst their names will be placed on the stop list.
Meetings with complainant
According to police, the two allegedly met with the complainant in separate instances on 21 January. The first meeting took place at a Larnaca hotel on Wednesday morning.
Police became aware of the meeting and called the complainant for a statement. He allegedly said the two businessmen assured him they had no connection to the shooting case.
He also stated, according to police, that the 47-year-old proposed he become his partner and that he knew the 43-year-old, as after a criminal act against the businessman, he worked as a security guard at his house.
The criminal act was committed last August and concerns an attempted murder of another security guard and arson of vehicles belonging to a company owned by the 43-year-old businessman.
That afternoon, the complainant rushed back to Larnaca CID and wanted to submit a typed supplementary statement, according to police, which he ultimately did not do.
In that statement, he allegedly claimed the protection money for his premises (he alleged he was demanded €7,000 and then €1,000 monthly) was demanded by a foreign national who is abroad. He later allegedly changed his mind and said he did not know that foreign national.
Shortly after, he returned to Larnaca CID intending to submit the supplementary statement again, which he ultimately did not do. According to police, the complainant was frightened.
Police arrested the two businessmen last Thursday. During a search at the 47-year-old’s company, officers found and seized as evidence €103,915 in cash, 42 cheques and a mobile phone. The businessman allegedly said the money came from collections from his businesses.
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