Police avert triple murder (updated)

Police appear to have averted a triple gangland murder in Larnaca, deputy police spokesperson Nikoletta Tyrimou said on Thursday.

Authorities have detained a 55-year-old man from a village in the Limassol district in connection with the plot to kill three individuals. The man was remanded in custody for six days by the Nicosia district court.

Three more men were being sought, police said.

State radio reported that the suspect allegedly provided arms to a local man who was meant to carry out the hit.

But the mastermind later decided to bring in hitmen from Greece to carry out the crime.

It is believed that the planned murder is linked to gambling and protection rackets.

According to Tyrimou, police acted on a tip-off saying that the four suspects contacted two individuals from abroad to ask them to carry out the murders.

Tyrimou said both the suspects and targets are Greek Cypriots.

“These are individuals that had run-ins with the police in the past,” she said.

The 55-year old is suspected for conspiring to commit a murder, illegal possession and transportation of firearms, and money laundering.

In June 2012, five men were gunned down in Ayia Napa. Four of the victims were working for local businessman Phanos Kalopsidiotis, who Famagusta police believe was the real target.

In February 2014, a criminal court sentenced Greek nationals Demetris Mamalikopoulos, 29, and Anastasios Tsehilides, 41, to life in jail after they were found guilty for the murders.

Police believed that the multiple murders were linked to the organized crime fighting over the control of the Famagusta district, mainly the lucrative Ayia Napa and Protaras.