A 35-year-old man appeared before Limassol District Court this morning following his arrest yesterday at the Ayios Dometios checkpoint.
The suspect is being investigated for conspiracy, robbery, involvement in a criminal organisation, and money laundering connected to an alleged cryptocurrency transaction robbery.
The arrest stems from an incident reported on Tuesday, April 2, in the Germasogeia area. The 36-year-old complainant claims he arranged a meeting via Telegram to purchase cryptocurrency from an unknown seller.
Upon meeting the suspect, the complainant alleges he was attacked by the 35-year-old and two other unidentified individuals.
One assailant allegedly restrained the complainant while the others stole over €50,000 from his vehicle before fleeing.
Limassol Police investigators linked the suspect to the crime after uncovering evidence suggesting he rented a car shortly before arriving in Cyprus.
The suspect reportedly communicated his need for a rental vehicle upon arrival the previous Sunday. Additionally, authorities found that the suspect, along with another individual, booked a three-night stay in Limassol but only occupied the apartment for two nights.
Following the alleged robbery, investigators believe the suspects abandoned the rental car in Germasogeia and departed in a taxi. They reportedly retrieved their belongings from a tourist accommodation before travelling to Ayia Napa.
During questioning, the suspect provided conflicting accounts of the incident. He claims he and another individual went to the scene at the request of a friend involved in a transaction.
The friend, according to the suspect, entered the complainant’s car and later requested help via message. The suspect alleges upon reaching the vehicle, their friend claimed the complainant had a pistol, prompting them to flee.
The suspect further claims he and the others crossed into the occupied north intending to travel to Russia via Turkey.
However, authorities apprehended him on a plane bound for Turkey while the other two individuals remained onboard.
The suspect’s lawyer alleges his client was assaulted during arrest and has requested a medical examination.
The Limassol District Court granted the police request for an eight-day detention period to allow further investigation.
