Azeri suspected gunman to remain in custody

A 39-year-old Azeri suspected of planning to assassinate Israeli nationals living on the island will remain in custody until Monday to give time for documents to be translated before a court examines a police request to extend his remand for another eight days.

The suspect appeared before a Nicosia district court on Wednesday suspected of planning the assassination of Israelis living in Cyprus.

He was arrested last week after he crossed from the north through the Ledra Street checkpoint.

In his possession, officers found a pistol equipped with a suppressor.

According to initial reports, the intended victim is an Israeli businessman. But on Monday, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the planned assassination of Israeli businessmen in Cyprus was an Iranian plot aimed at striking Israel.

The Prime Minister’s Office said that Tedi Sagi, the businessman who was initially reported to have been the target, was not the target of the attack.

Iran, Israeli security officials said, had tried to attack a number of Israeli businessmen who operate in Cyprus.

The suspect arrived around three weeks ago through Larnaca airport from Russia and had been visiting the north almost daily. Authorities believe he had procured the weapon in the north, where it appears he was staying.

The suspect has so far remained tight-lipped. It is understood that police have nothing so far proving he was a terrorist.

The Iranian embassy in Nicosia has denied Israel’s allegations.