Police arrest suspected perpetrator after soldier stabbed in Napa, second sought (Updated)

Police on Friday arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the murder attempt against another man, 27, who is in serious condition at the Famagusta hospital with wounds to the abdomen, believed to be caused by a stabbing.

An arrest warrant was also issued against another man, 25, who lives in the British bases area and who is expected to be handed over to the Republic’s authorities.

The victim, who serves at the Dhekelia British bases, was found injured at around 3.30am in the Ayia Napa main square by police officers after a call.

It is believed he was stabbed.

The 27-year-old was taken to the Famagusta hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition is deemed serious, but he is out of danger.

Preliminary investigations indicated the victim seemed to have been stabbed with a knife or another sharp object during an altercation.

Police said the 22-year-old, who is believed to know the victim, was near where the victim was located and tried to escape when he saw the officers. He was later found and arrested after resisting his arrest and hurling insults at the officers.

On him, officers found one knuckle duster and a plastic bag with a small quantity of white powder, believed to be cocaine they said.

Police issued an arrest warrant for the second suspect, 25, after securing evidence against him.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.