Cops hunt brothers after sword attack

POLICE yesterday launched a nationwide manhunt for two brothers, aged 23 and 28, who attacked four officers with swords after they came to search their Limassol home for drugs on Friday night.

The men’s father, mother and underage brother were all arrested after the vicious assault, which left four members of the Drug Squad and Crime Prevention Unit in hospital, two of them with serious injuries.

The attack took place when officers went to the house on Salamina Street in central Limassol to search for drugs and weapons.

When officers knocked on the door, the brothers’ 55-year-old father lashed out at the police sergeant who presented him with a search warrant, pushing him and hitting him in the face.

The man was immediately arrested by the other officers. But as he was being led to the police car in handcuffs, his two sons suddenly arrived at the scene and started beating the policemen. Their 51-year-old mother also joined in on the attack, as did their 15-year-old brother.

The two brothers then produced swords and other martial arts weapons, launching a vicious attack on the officers and threatening to kill them if they did not release their father.

In the ensuing melee, they managed to release their father. The father, mother and younger brother ran away, while the two older brothers leapt into a car and sped off.
The father and mother, as well as their 15-year-old son, were eventually arrested after being found hiding in a shed on their property.

All three were yesterday brought before Limassol court and remanded in custody for eight days.

The police officers were taken to Limassol General Hospital, with one undergoing surgery, another retaining liquid in his stomach from the blows he received and the other two being stitched up on various parts of their bodies.

Limassol CID are investigating the case.

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