Police are looking for a 42-year-old man who managed to slip away from game wardens on suspicion of hunting without a permit and possessing a hunting rifle and ammunition, the Cyprus News Agency reported on Monday.

It said that officials from the Game Service had stopped a car for checks on a dirt track road in the Troodos area on Sunday.

The car was driven by a 57-year-old man. The suspect, who was the front seat passenger, was found to be holding a hunting rifle which he said belonged to a friend. He had no permit either for the rifle or to hunt.

Under conditions being investigated, the man managed to slip away on foot, taking the hunting rifle with him. In the car, police found a bag with ammunition. They have secured an arrest warrant and are looking for the suspect.