investigation

Massive election tampering – 20,890 citizens “changed” address

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Massive election tampering – 20,890 citizens “changed” address

The Ministry of Interior has asked the Prefects to record all cases of electoral list objections and forward them to the Attorney General for further investigation. Almost half of the objections were accepted by provincial administrations, with 41% of the total objections being approved. If a case of wrongdoing is established, those involved will face criminal charges, with potential penalties of up to six months in prison or a 1000 euro fine. There are suspicions that the objections and voter relocations may have been organized by political parties or candidates, but a police investigation is ongoing to determine the truth.

Arms dealers wanted by the FBI are also based in Cyprus

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Arms dealers wanted by the FBI are also based in Cyprus

Two businessmen of Arab origin linked to illegal arms trafficking to states hostile to the West have been connected to Cyprus. The individuals, Samir Raja and Mohammad Deiry, are wanted by the FBI and have set up companies in Cyprus for their activities. They are believed to be involved in arms trafficking without licenses and money laundering. The companies involved, S. Group Airlines Ltd and Centuronic Ltd, were recently sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.

Iran’s foreign minister downplays drone attack, says Tehran investigating

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Iran’s foreign minister downplays drone attack, says Tehran investigating

Iran’s foreign minister downplayed an overnight attack on Iran, stating that there was no proven link to Israel. The attack involved drones that were downed after flying only a few hundred meters. Iranian media described the incident as an attack by “infiltrators” rather than by Israel. The attack targeted an Iranian Air Force base near Isfahan but did not cause major damage. Israel had previously said it would retaliate after a strike on April 13, but as of now, there has been no word on further action. The ongoing violence between Israel and Iranian proxies has raised fears of escalation into a direct conflict.

Fugitive recaptured in Nicosia after brief escape

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Fugitive recaptured in Nicosia after brief escape

A prisoner who escaped from police custody in Nicosia was quickly recaptured in the Agios Dometios area. The suspect, facing drug trafficking charges, was found a few kilometers from the Central Prisons where he was supposed to be transferred from court. An investigation is ongoing into the escape, which occurred when the suspect took advantage of a gap in the handover process between police and prison officers.

Seven burglary suspects remanded after dawn raid

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Seven burglary suspects remanded after dawn raid

Seven burglary suspects were remanded for eight days by the Famagusta District Court after a dawn raid. The suspects, aged 23-31, are being investigated for involvement in nine burglaries in Ayia Napa between January and April 2024. Stolen items worth around €5,000 were recovered in the raid.

Worrying figures over student drug abuse

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Worrying figures over student drug abuse

Over the past three years, 420 secondary school students were referred for drug treatment programs.

Primary school sexual violence case reported to parliament

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Primary school sexual violence case reported to parliament

A 10-year-old student was the tragic protagonist of an extreme case of sexual violence in a primary school reported to the Education Committee of the Parliament. The incident was discussed during a session on misconduct in schools attended by the Ministers of Justice and Education. It was highlighted that primary school students often strip or intimidate their classmates, with drugs circulating in school yards. The responsibility to address these issues lies with the Police, especially when educators fail to report incidents. The Justice Minister mentioned a transitional solution for detaining juvenile offenders until 2026 and emphasized the implementation of the law of 2021, which includes sending young individuals to therapeutic programs. The Education Minister noted the difference between violence/bullying and sexual abuse in schools, urging educators and children to break their silence on the latter. The Police reported a decrease in registered cases involving individuals under 18 from 496 in 2021 to 393 in 2023.

Seven arrests for burglaries following police operation

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Seven arrests for burglaries following police operation

A coordinated operation by Ammochostos CID officers led to the arrest of seven individuals suspected of being involved in nine burglary and theft cases in Ayia Napa, where electronic devices, clothing, and footwear worth around 5000 euros were stolen. The suspects were apprehended after being observed behaving suspiciously in a residential complex and failing to provide satisfactory explanations for the possession of stolen property.