Cyprus Court Detains Police Officer and Two Others in Organized Crime Probe

The Nicosia district court in Cyprus has ordered the detention of three suspects, including a serving police officer, as part of an investigation into organized crime, money laundering, and tax evasion. The 45-year-old officer was remanded for eight days, while two other suspects, aged 49 and 50, received seven-day detention orders. This follows police operations in Limassol targeting a suspected syndicate linked to an individual wanted by Greek authorities for cigarette and fuel smuggling. Investigators allege the group engaged in extortion, offering protection services to forex operators and other businesses, with potential links to recent arson and shooting incidents. A key focus of the inquiry is the officer's financial history over the past six years, revealing unexplained bank transfers and luxury vehicle purchases inconsistent with his salary. His frequent trips to Athens and Thessaloniki are also under scrutiny. Authorities have frozen assets totaling approximately €200,000 connected to the non-officer suspects and seized property worth over €420,000 in Limassol. The investigation continues as police examine the extent of the criminal network's operations and financial flows within Cyprus.