Two men accused in the Pyla torture case appeared Monday before the Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court under heavy security, with one alleging abusive prosecution and the other objecting to his continued detention.
The 48‑year‑old defendant asked for time to raise a claim of abusive prosecution, arguing he is being tried in two separate cases stemming from the same witness testimony. The court scheduled his case for June 4.
The second defendant, aged 27, filed an objection to his detention. His case was set for May 27 for the court to examine the matter.
Both men face 16 joint charges, including conspiracy to commit felony, conspiracy to commit misdemeanor, illegal possession and transport of a Category B firearm, offenses under the anti‑torture convention, kidnapping, unlawful deprivation of liberty, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, failure to prevent a felony, assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault, knife offenses, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a weapon to cause terror, participation in a criminal organization and threats.
The 48‑year‑old faces two additional charges: inducing the execution of a document and refusing to provide measurements while lawfully detained.
Police previously arrested the 48‑year‑old on February 6 in connection with a January 17 shooting incident in Larnaca. The torture‑related offenses were committed in the summer of 2025. A search of a property linked to him yielded evidence sent for forensic examination.
One additional suspect remains wanted, and investigators believe more perpetrators are involved based on video evidence.
There are six identified victims: three Cypriots—one currently abroad—an Indian national abroad, an Arab national in Cyprus, and a sixth believed to be a European citizen who has not yet been identified.
Larnaca CID continues its investigation.