Nicosia district court on Thursday ordered the release of two men earlier arrested in connection with violence occurring at the Omonia fan club premises in Lakatamia last weekend.
Police requested that the two men – aged 22 and 32 – be remanded in their custody for further questioning. The suspects had been arrested on the evening of Wednesday, May 21.
But the judge dismissed the remand request, finding that the police did not have reasonable suspicion to keep holding the two suspects.
In court, the suspects’ lawyers argued that their clients had both provided alibis concerning their whereabouts at the time of the disturbances in Lakatamia.
The police had disregarded the suspects’ claims and did not look into them, the lawyers said. Moreover, police could have easily verified the suspects’ claims but did not.
In addition, one of the suspects had contacted Nicosia CID a day prior to his arrest – having heard that an arrest warrant was issued against him – and offered to willingly come to the police and provide a statement.
In her decision ordering the release of the two men, district court judge Malvina Nathanael said police had relied on hearsay connecting the two suspects to the weekend’s events.
Otherwise they had no reliable evidence linking the two men to the incident.
The attack against the Omonia fan club in Lakatamia took place at around 10pm on Sunday, shortly after a match between Omonia and Apoel.
Approximately 30 individuals, some wearing clothing associated with rival football team Apoel, stormed the premises, assaulted staff, and caused damage. Three people were injured.
Police said dozens more suspects were still being sought.
Nicosia CID is investigating.
At least four people are currently being held in connection with the violent incident.
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