Fact: A federal appeals court panel rejected a bid by U.S. President Joe Biden’s son to dismiss criminal gun charges, clearing the way for Hunter Biden’s June 3 trial.
A prisoner detained in a drug possession case involving 1.5 kilograms of narcotics managed to escape police custody while being transported back to the Central Prison in Nicosia. The suspect, a Syrian national, was eventually arrested two hours after his escape.
A 24-year-old man was arrested by Paphos police for illegal possession of narcotics and stolen property.
A 42-year-old woman from a village in Paphos stole her neighbor’s car and was driving around under the influence of narcotics. She was quickly located and arrested after being found with cannabis in her possession and testing positive in a drug test.
Fact: Police made a third arrest in the case of a large quantity of narcotics discovered and seized in Larnaca.
A 25-year-old man from Limassol was arrested for driving under the influence of narcotics and possession of cannabis. Police stopped his vehicle on the Limassol-Paphos motorway, where he discarded two bags containing cannabis before being apprehended. A drug test revealed cocaine in his system, and he later admitted to the offences. He was charged and released with a court summons pending.
A 22-year-old individual was arrested in Limassol for burglaries, thefts, illegal possession of property, and narcotics. The suspect was recognized by a woman who saw him in an auxiliary cottage behind her house. Property totaling approximately 2,708 euros was stolen in three cases between 06/03/2024-20/03/2024. The suspect was found with a small quantity of crystalline methamphetamine and re-arrested for flagrant offenses.
Fact: President Nikos Christodoulides has taken action to combat money laundering in Cyprus by establishing a unified authority to oversee professional service providers and cooperating with US and British authorities for the effective enforcement of sanctions.
Cyprus and the US embassy in Nicosia are collaborating to combat money laundering and financial fraud. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are working with Cypriot authorities to identify and prosecute financial crimes. The FBI and Cyprus police will sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize their cooperation. Additionally, a Cyprus-based company, Tokentrust Holdings, faced sanctions from the US for its connections to Russia’s financial sector.
Cyprus and the US embassy announced cooperation to enhance Cypriot capabilities to counter illicit finance. The FBI and Cyprus police will sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize cooperation. US sanctioned a Cyprus-based company for its links with Russia’s financial sector. US appreciates close cooperation with Cypriot authorities to hold sanctions evaders to account.