A 44-year-old man from Nicosia is suspected of involvement in eight separate arson cases targeting buildings and vehicles.
According to police, the suspect allegedly videotaped targets on his mobile phone hours before the arsons occurred.
The suspect, currently in custody, was brought before the court today where an eight-day detention order was issued.
Police Sergeant Kostas Papageorgiou, an investigator with the Nicosia Crime Investigation Department (CID), presented evidence connecting the suspect to the arsons, including video footage of the suspect near targeted locations.
Additionally, a video file was discovered regarding another case, in which the suspect was seen on April 15, 2024, riding his motorcycle past a car repair shop while holding a mobile phone directed towards the shop.
An arson took place at the same shop in the early hours of April 16, 2024, which was also captured by a closed-circuit surveillance camera obtained from the scene.
The initial three cases involved the arson of 12 cars at a Nicosia repair shop, a cafe, and a cafe-restaurant. The five additional cases include:
- Arson of three vehicles in Nicosia on November 5, 2023.
- Arson of a vehicle in Aglantzia on November 20, 2023.
- Arson of a vehicle in Strovolos on November 26, 2023.
- Arson of a vehicle in Engomi on January 10, 2024.
- Arson of a vehicle in Paliometocho on March 24, 2024.
The suspect did not comment during the hearing, on the advice of his lawyer.
