Cyprus police have made two further arrests in connection with the ongoing terrorism investigation, with all suspects appearing before courts in Larnaca and Paralimni, Phileleftheros has learned. The newly arrested individuals are Palestinian, as are the two previously detained, according to sources.
The two newly arrested, who had been living in the Larnaca district, appeared before Larnaca District Court, which ordered their eight-day remand, according to Phileleftheros sources. Two others — aged 32 and 38 — appeared separately before the District Court in Paralimni, where proceedings were held behind closed doors and their detention orders were extended by a further eight days.
One of those arrested is alleged to have admitted that Israelis were the intended targets, according to information received by Phileleftheros. Investigators are examining how and where any attacks were to have been carried out.
A large volume of evidence has been sent for specialist forensic examination to establish the nature of the chemical substances involved and whether DNA from any other individual is present.
Police, who believe they have prevented attacks on Cyprus, are continuing their investigation to determine whether the suspects had further accomplices.
Background
The investigation began after explosive-making materials — including ammonium nitrate — were found at two properties linked to the 32-year-old: a house at Governor’s Beach, where the first significant quantity was discovered on Thursday May 21, and an apartment in Kamares, Larnaca, where a second quantity was found the following Saturday.
The 32-year-old had been living at the Kamares apartment with his family. The chemicals cannot be ruled out as having come from the Cypriot market, according to the investigation.
Investigators believe the 38-year-old had been living in Cyprus illegally and is thought to have entered the territory of the Republic via the occupied north.