Bomb devastates family taverna

A BOMB exploded at a Limassol taverna during the early hours of yesterday morning in what police believe was a threatening message to the outlet’s owner.

Investigators also believe the explosion was linked to another bomb, placed in the target’s 24-year-old ex-wife’s car in Ypsonas 24 hours earlier.

The man-made bomb went off outside ‘I Gonia’ taverna on Ellinon Street at around 4.45am. The blast caused extensive damage to the taverna’s front entrance and to part of the premises’ interior.

Although the restaurant, which also operates as a bar, is owned by 54-year-old Nikos Peponias, police believe the real target was his son. There were also reports of a drugs link.

Apparently Peponias’ son was assaulted last Sunday outside a Limassol nightclub for no apparent reason. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the beating.

Moreover, the young man’s ex-wife said she had recently received threatening phone calls from a 20-year-old woman who warned her she would come to harm. The younger woman also apparently knows one of the three suspects who were arrested in connection with the assault.

The 24-year-old woman’s car was blown up during the early hours of Friday while it was parked in an open field outside her home.

All four suspects were in custody yesterday but later released because there was not enough evidence connecting them to the two explosions.

Limassol CID is investigating.

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