Two remanded in Paphos for burglaries and arms possession

By Constantinos Psillides

TWO Greek nationals from Georgia, aged 29 and 43, were remanded for eight days in custody by the Paphos District court on Thursday, after police found guns and burglary items in their Paphos apartment on Wednesday.

Police believe that the two suspects are part of a greater criminal ring, responsible for armed robberies and a large number of burglaries, mainly in the Paphos area.

Officers who raided the suspects’ apartment on Wednesday found a Cyprus army standard issue G3 rifle, that was used in a burglary on December 2014 in Paphos, an AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle, five fully loaded clips, a pistol, burglary equipment, shoes and clothing, jewellery, various electronic devices, a substantial amount of foreign currency bills and €7,800 in cash.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the items found in the apartment are the product of burglaries reported in the Paphos area from August 31 to March 26.

The 43-year-old was found in the apartment while the 29-year-old, who works as a leaflet distributor, was arrested on his return home. The suspect tried to flee once he saw the police at his door but was arrested shortly after. The suspect was carrying a bag that contained burglary equipment, according to the police report.

Apart from the guns, police also found night vision goggles, stolen licence plates, as well as the keys to a luxury vehicle that was stolen from a home in Tala village.

Paphos police spokesman Nikos Tsiappis said that this was one of the most important recent cases they have been able to solve, adding that investigators were looking into the possibility that the suspects were part of a larger criminal ring.

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