Another suspect arrested for cafe blast

Police arrested another suspect for an explosion in a cafe in Nicosia on June 22, authorities said on Saturday.

A 35-year-old man was taken into custody for investigation purposes.

The blast at the cafe occurred at around 4.40am on June 22, 2024, and resulted in extensive damage to the side entrance of the establishment.

Examinations by police bomb squad officers at the scene determined that the explosion was due to the detonation of an improvised device, using highly explosive material. At the time it exploded, persons were present and working on the premises.

Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and destruction of property with explosives, with the investigations being conducted by the Nicosia CID in cooperation with the drug squad Ykan.

According to police, investigations revealed evidence against the 35-year-old, and a judicial warrant of arrest was issued against him, as well as a European arrest warrant, in relation to the case.

The 35-year-old’s details and photograph were released by the police on July 3, 2024 to gather information that could lead to his identification.

Police said the 35-year-old was arrested in Greece, where he was located by the Greek authorities and arrested under the European warrant issued against him.

A judicial procedure followed, during which the Greek judicial authorities approved the request of the Cypriot authorities to extradite the suspect to Cyprus.

Members of the Ykan travelled to Greece, from where yesterday they accompanied the 35-year-old man to Cyprus by plane. Upon arrival at Larnaca airport, he was arrested.

There have been six other suspects arrested for involvement in the same case: five men aged 35, 26, 23, 23, 28 and 44 and a woman, aged 35.

The 28-year-old, 44-year-old and 35-year-old were later released, while the 35-year-old, 26-year-old and 23-year-old were brought before the court.

They were released on July 24 on conditions ordered by the court to ensure their appearance before the body, with the next hearing set for October 11.