dubai fugitive — dubai fugitive — Cyprus’s newly established organised crime unit has made its first significant arrests, detaining a 50-year-old woman in Limassol who is alleged to be a cousin of a fugitive wanted by Greek authorities and believed to be residing in Dubai.
- Both suspects opted not to respond to investigators' questions in writing, indicating they would address the charges in court.
The woman was brought before the Nicosia District Court on Friday and has been remanded for seven days. Alongside her, a second suspect also appeared in court, while a 45-year-old special police constable, suspended from duty, was remanded for eight days after being arrested in the same operation.
Dubai fugitive: Connection to International Criminal Activities
Investigators claim that the detained woman received substantial sums of money from associates of the fugitive. Funds were reportedly transferred through various money transfer applications, with some amounts allegedly delivered personally to Dubai or handed to accomplices in Greece. Notably, photos depicting the woman, her family members, and the fugitive were reportedly discovered at her residence based on information relayed to Cyprus Police by Greek authorities.
Greek officials assert that the fugitive leads an international criminal organisation with operations extending into Cyprus. Both European and international arrest warrants have been outstanding against him since 2024 and 2025 for a range of serious offences, including theft, fraud, cigarette smuggling, and involvement in a criminal organisation. Cyprus Police added him to their wanted persons list in May 2024.
Allegations of Organised Crime in Cyprus
According to investigators, the alleged criminal organisation has connections to networks in Cyprus that engage in extorting local businesses, operating protection rackets targeting nightclubs and companies, as well as drug trafficking. These networks are accused of employing threats, arson, shootings, and intimidation against businesses and individuals who refuse to comply with their demands for protection payments.
In recent months, various criminal activities in Limassol have been linked to individuals associated with the organisation. Many complainants in related cases have refrained from naming their aggressors in writing, citing fears for their own safety and that of their families.
Financial Investigations Underway
Despite both suspects presenting as low-income earners, investigations revealed their bank accounts received more than €480,000 from 2020 to 2026. Social insurance records indicate that the declared incomes of the 50-year-old woman and her 49-year-old husband do not align with the significant assets and transactions identified during the investigation. An analysis of their accounts has shown considerable financial movements through platforms like Revolut, alongside the purchase of high-value vehicles.
Both suspects opted not to respond to investigators’ questions in writing, indicating they would address the charges in court.
Ongoing Investigative Efforts
The police have indicated that the investigation is at an advanced stage. To date, 29 statements have been collected, and five searches have been conducted, with several exhibits set to undergo forensic examination and further analysis.
