12 remanded after Limassol brawl
All twelve suspects arrested over a violent brawl in Limassol were remanded in custody for eight days on Tuesday by the Limassol district court on Tuesday.
The court approved a request by the CID, accepting there is reasonable suspicion of serious offences linked to the incident, which unfolded late on Monday night and is believed to have stemmed from personal disputes between two rival groups of foreign nationals.
Police told the court that several claims made by the suspects are contradicted by testimony already obtained.
Investigators allege that an 18-year-old, identified as the twelfth suspect, arrived outside an apartment building with four other Greek nationals, where they confronted and attacked another man.
Residents from the same and neighbouring apartments then became involved, escalating the confrontation into a melee.
Four individuals fled the scene in a vehicle that police are still attempting to locate, while the 18-year-old was detained.
He claimed he was later forcibly taken into an apartment and assaulted again until officers arrived.
A search of the premises led to the seizure of two cricket bats bearing bloodstains, found hidden under a bed.
Medical examinations confirmed that the 18-year-old sustained blunt force injuries to the head and legs.
Another suspect suffered head injuries and a fractured finger, while a third received treatment at Limassol hospital and was discharged without injuries.
During questioning, the 18-year-old said he had been drinking heavily earlier in the evening, fell asleep in a vehicle with unknown individuals and woke to find a fight in progress.
He claimed he exited the vehicle to intervene, lost his balance due to intoxication and was struck.
He further alleged that he was assaulted inside the apartment by multiple people, including two women.
Police evidence challenges this account, with testimony indicating that he actively participated in the assault and attempted to restrain a person who tried to assist the initial victim.
Other suspects told investigators they were inside the apartment at the time, a claim police say is contradicted by witness statements placing at least two of them outside wielding offensive instruments and damaging the fleeing vehicle.
Investigators are expected to take around 40 additional statements from neighbours and eyewitnesses, while identification procedures are also planned.
The suspects are being investigated for rioting, kidnapping, possession of offensive weapons, and assault causing actual and grievous bodily harm.