Appeal Court: Four Larnaca Defendants to Remain in Custody Until Trial

The Appeal Court has upheld the detention of four individuals, three foreign nationals and one Cypriot passport holder, pending their trial on March 16 at the Larnaca Criminal Court for a shooting incident. The Appeal Court's decision was unanimous.

The defendants face a total of 24 charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, possession and transportation of a category B firearm and explosives, demanding property with threats, participating in a criminal organization, and extortion. Additionally, some face charges of carrying a knife, bearing arms to incite terror, and causing actual bodily harm.

The Appeal Court rejected the defendants' claims of a low probability of conviction and the existence of ties to Cyprus. It emphasized that there is a visible probability of conviction and imposition of lengthy imprisonment, increasing the risk of flight. The court took into account the defendants' 'records,' including previous convictions and pending cases.

The Appeal Court also dismissed the claim of voluntary surrender by one of the defendants, noting that it does not automatically eliminate the risk of flight.

The defendants were represented by lawyers S. Dimitriou and K. Tampourlas, while the prosecution was represented by X. Proxenou.