Larnaca shooting court case adjourned till June

Two businessmen, aged 47 and 43, arrested over their alleged involvement in the shooting that took place in Larnaca city centre in January, appeared before court on Wednesday.

Proceedings were adjourned till June 17, following a defence request for evidence.

During the first hearing on January 27, the men appeared before Larnaca district court under draconian security measures, where they pleaded not guilty to charges of interfering with the judicial process and conspiring to commit a misdemeanour.

The 47-year-old is also charged with illegal possession of property – believed to be stolen – after €103,915 in cash and 42 cheques worth a total of €560,000 were found in his office.

During the first hearing, the two businessmen were released on €80,000 bail each, on the condition that they report to the police twice weekly and refrain from travelling north.

The two were remanded in custody for four days in early January, suspected of interfering with the shooting incident that took place near the police station in central Larnaca on January 17.

The police said that the arrests were made in connection with a meeting held between the two businessmen and a complainant in the shooting case, who later provided a statement to the police in which they made a series of allegations.

The 47-year-old was apprehended at his company’s offices on January 19 and the 43-year-old at his home later the same day.

A total of five people had been arrested in connection with the violent brawl and shooting.

The other three, aged 50, 44 and 38, were arrested at the location on suspicion of working as unlicenced security guards and possessing wireless communication devices.