Six suspects in alleged murder-for-hire case to be deported from Cyprus
Six people detained in a case involving the alleged preparation of a contract killing in Cyprus will be deported in the coming days after detention and deportation orders were issued. Two other men, aged 33 and 35, who were detained on August 29, are due to appear before the Famagusta District Court. Their case is expected to be referred to criminal court, Cyprus Mail reports.
Investigation through Europol
The investigation began after Danish authorities passed information to Cypriot police through Europol about planned contract killings on the island. The alleged targets were named as British twin brothers Jamie and Aaron Small, former wrestlers who had previously been in the Famagusta area and later left Cyprus.
Liverpool Echo identified the brothers and reported that law enforcement officers are searching for them with the involvement of Merseyside Police and Interpol. According to the outlet, the brothers are believed to have left Cyprus after European law enforcement intervened. Merseyside Police confirmed that it is in contact with and assisting Cyprus’s local authorities.
A joint investigation by the Irish Times, the Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network, Norway’s VG and Sweden’s SVT reported that sources in Irish security services believe the alleged contract may have been ordered by people close to the Irish criminal group Kinahan. According to the investigation, on August 10, a user operating under the pseudonym Sponge Jobb offered cryptocurrency payment for a killing in the EU through the encrypted Signal platform.
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Detentions and seized items
According to the joint investigation, a Danish undercover law enforcement officer posing as a hitman received photographs of the brothers. He was also told that firearms had allegedly been delivered from Turkey and was instructed to collect payment in Ayia Napa. Police identified an Irish suspect after he allegedly left money at a collection point, according to the police.
On August 27, an Irish citizen and two Norwegians were detained, followed later by five Swedish citizens. During searches, police seized a pistol, surgical masks, disposable gloves, mobile phones, batons and cash, as well as video recordings which, according to the outlet, show weapons and scenes of violence.
All eight suspects denied involvement or refused to answer questions. The five Swedish citizens said they had come to Cyprus for a holiday. The motive for the alleged crime has not been disclosed.
