Greek police yesterday arrested two suspects in Athens wanted in connection with the murder of five men in a gang-style execution in the heart of Cyprus’ tourist resort Ayia Napa last week.
The two men, aged 29 and 41, are Greek nationals for whom Cypriot police issued European arrest warrants and an Interpol Red Notice earlier in the week.
The fact that both men were wanted in connection with a quintuple murder and could be considered armed and dangerous influenced the decision of Greek police to use its anti-terror squad for the arrests.
Police spokesman Andreas Angelides told the Cyprus Sunday Mail that Cypriot investigators were already on their way to Athens to coordinate with their Greek counterparts on procedures for the extradition to Cyprus of the two suspects on the basis of the European arrest warrants issued against them.
Greek authorities also searched the houses of the two suspects after having arrested them.
The DNA, in combination with the images caught on pubs’ CCTV cameras, helped the Cypriot police to identify the two as internationally-active criminals. Another important piece of evidence was the getaway car, which was reportedly spotted a short distance from the scene of the murders.
It is widely believed that the killings are connected to the war between online betting shop owners.
Earlier in the week, Angelides said there was a “serious possibility” the Ayia Napa shoot-out was a result of rivalry between Nicosia and Ayia Napa underworld gangs over the mushrooming online casinos, though other avenues are also being investigated, he added.
Source: Cyprus Mail
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