Police on Friday arrested three 18-year-old men in the Famagusta district over a January 1 case involving explosives and possession of a weapon.

Police officers on the evening of January 1 spotted a vehicle without registration plates driving in the Famagusta district, with four unknown people inside, all of whom had their faces covered with hoods.

The officers signalled the driver to stop for a check. However, the driver failed to comply and sped off, trying to evade the police.

“Police officers followed the suspicious car, which stopped in a rural area, while its occupants managed to escape on foot by running away,” the police statement said.

“From a subsequent investigation, three fireworks, three Molotov-type bombs, a collapsible bat, six factory firecrackers and four smoke generators were found inside the vehicle,” the statement added.

Police said that additional investigations resulted in testimony against five persons.

Court warrants were issued under which two, aged 18 and 19, were arrested on January 17 and 19 respectively.

On Friday, the other three suspects were arrested and taken into custody to facilitate investigations.