Investigation into suspected terrorism case in Larnaca expands: new arrests and seizure of chemicals

The Cyprus Police continues investigating the high-profile case of suspected preparation of terrorist acts. According to philenews, two more Palestinians living in the Larnaca area were detained as part of the operation, bringing the number of people involved in the case up.

Both of the new detainees were brought before the Larnaca District Court, which ordered their detention for eight days. Earlier, two more suspects aged 32 and 38 were brought before the Paralimni Court. By court decision, their detention was also extended for eight days.

According to the investigation, one of the detainees testified that the potential targets of the planned actions could have been Israeli citizens. The police continue to verify these statements and are determining possible routes and methods used to prepare the alleged attacks. All seized materials have been sent for examination to determine the composition of the substances and identify possible DNA traces.

During searches of two houses in the Governor’s Beach and Kamares areas of Larnaca, components for making explosives were found, including ammonium nitrate. Investigators do not rule out that the chemicals may have been purchased on the local market. Law enforcement agencies are also checking the version that there may have been additional participants in the alleged network.

The first large batch of materials was discovered on May 21 in a house at Governor’s Beach, and the second — on Saturday in an apartment in the Kamares area, where the 32-year-old suspect lived with his family. It has been established that the 38-year-old suspect was in the Republic of Cyprus illegally and, presumably, may have entered the island through the TRNC.

The police say the investigation is continuing and is aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the case and possible accomplices.