Larnaca’s mayor has launched an attack on the response to organised crime as a 15-strong gang extorting businesses across the city’s Oroklini tourist area exposed the spreading reach of protection rackets following Saturday’s axe-and-gun violence.
“Words don’t satisfy us. We want to see results,” Mayor Andreas Vyras told ANT1, demanding concrete action from the state to combat organized crime and restore security across the province.
A complaint received by philenews today reveals the gang has been targeting beer bars, kiosks and even souvlaki (kebab) shops in Oroklini for the past two months, demanding protection money whilst intimidating owners. The municipality received the same complaint within the past 24 hours, and it “appears to be substantiated”, Vyras confirmed to philenews.
An anonymous source told philenews the group arrived in cars and descended on establishments, demanding money on various dates. They were very provocative and in some cases caused traffic problems with their cars, the source said. Police were informed.
Some business owners appear to have accepted the arrangement under fear of criminal reprisals.
The Oroklini complaint marks another front in the battle between rival factions fighting for control of Larnaca’s lucrative protection business—a turf war that has been building for months and exploded into Saturday’s violence on Gregori Afxentiou Avenue, just 100 metres from police headquarters.
Vyras didn’t hide his anger. “This situation cannot continue. Murder attempts in Larnaca are known. Organised crime cannot be combated just like that,” he said.
The mayor delivered his sharpest criticism at the judicial system. “We know that three days ago some of the protagonists were inside for criminal cases and now they’re out on bail. How can you have seven complaints for serious cases and be out and circulating?” he said.
Increasing patrols doesn’t address organised crime, Vyras said. “Organised crime requires many more things and many more actions.” Nothing substantial has been announced publicly, he added. “Police and the Minister said some basic things. I don’t consider that measures have been announced.”
The problem affects not just Larnaca but the entire island, the mayor said. The municipality wants specific actions from the state so citizens feel the state is above all. “We are not satisfied with the result and are waiting for the actions that must be taken and planned by the competent authorities.”
Police spokesman Vyron Vyronos defended the response. An area cannot be considered unsafe due to one incident, he said. “The incident was examined, arrests were made and measures are being taken.”
Police conduct many operations, Vyronos said. “Large amounts have been seized in drugs cases. By every means we monitor them and create problems for them.”
Regarding the protection rackets and large sums demanded by factions, Vyronos said the Larnaca case is very serious. “Among the offences included are participation in a criminal organisation, demanding property with threats and extortion. These offences, to be able to promote them before court, require written testimony.”
Information exists and actions are happening, he said. “When there’s no other way, then we must have a written statement. We call on people to cooperate with police.”
Yet businesses remain terrified to testify—accepting extortion deals rather than risk reprisals, according to the complaints emerging. The philenews source requested anonymity for obvious reasons.
Vyronos said measures have been increased for days. “There are other measures which are not for publication.”
Saturday’s violence followed police findings that a criminal group had been demanding thousands of euros from a businessman for protection. Information suggests rival factions have been battling for months to control the protection business across Larnaca.
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