Remand for brawl suspect

A 43-YEAR-OLD Nicosia man was yesterday remanded for eight days in connection with attempted murder.

The suspect was arrested following his involvement in a fracas outside a Pallouriotissa bar during the early hours of Thursday.

Six other men were arrested in connection with the same case and later released. Four were Greek Pontian, one was a Greek national and the sixth was a Greek Cypriot.

The 43-year-old man was the driver of a pick-up truck who tried to ram a group of people including a police officer.

The incident occurred at 3.30am outside the Pallouriotissa bar when the 43-year-old allegedly tried to run over a group of people while having a 37-year-old passenger beside him. A police officer motioned the driver to stop but the 43-year-old allegedly ignored him.

The officer pulled out his weapon and fired two shots in the air which prompted the 43-year-old to stop his car. When the policeman started to walk over towards the vehicle the driver started up his engine and ploughed towards the group once more, including the officer. The latter then fired two shots at the car’s tyres in an effort to stop the pick-up in its tracks but the 43-year-old managed to speed off. He was later arrested on a Pallouriotissa road and arrested.

Both the driver and his younger passenger told police they had been attacked by strangers and were taking to Nicosia general hospital for treatment.

Nicosia CID is investigating.

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