Police arrest one, seek six others for assault and kidnapping

A man who was arrested in Lefkosia for assaulting and kidnapping a resident was brought to court on Saturday.

Police said the suspect named as C.D, a Turkish Cypriot along with six other people on August 12 seriously invited the victim named A.Ö., 37 over to a work place in Hamitköy where they assaulted him over a financial dispute and stole his car.

The suspect was brought to the Lefkosa district court on Saturday charged with “forced abduction, detention, robbery, threats of violence, and serious assault”.

Police in a court testimony said the suspects while they were talking with the victim, they severely beat him and took the keys to his car.

Afterward, they prevented the victim from leaving the building. Instead, they forcibly took him to the back of the building, which is used as an auto body shop, where they kidnapped and detained him.

Police said the suspect and the others threatened the victim, telling him, “If you’re a man, go and tell someone your car is here“. They then put him in a car and left him at a bus stop near the Alpet Petrol station in the Dörtyol area. 

The complaint was made on August 16, 2024, and the suspect was identified and arrested, while the other six people are still being sought.

Police requested that the suspect remain in custody for three more days, as they need to take more statements, review camera footage, and continue searching for the other suspects.

The suspect's lawyer argued that it was a mutual fight, that his client was also beaten, and that he has injuries.

The judge ordered that the suspect be kept in custody for three more days and undergo a medical examination.