Iranian terrorist suspect to be deported

An Iranian national believed be linked to a terrorist group targeting Israeli interests is to be deported, after his appeal was rejected at an administrative court.

Police on Wednesday could not specify if he was linked to a foiled terrorist attack which emerged in December.

The court decision identifies the man only as KR from Iran, who legally entered the Republic in 2002 through Larnaca airport with his wife and son.

A year later, the man applied for political asylum and was granted refugee status in 2004.

Three months later, he changed his name citing security reasons for himself and his family.

Though he applied for Cypriot citizenship in 2009, this was rejected in 2014, as was his subsequent appeal in 2019.

The rejection came after the secret service (Kyp) detailed information that KR was involved in the fake passport business.

He could not be prosecuted however as the report against him was filed in the north, court heard.

The man lived with his family in Larnaca as a self-employed plumber.

In November last year, he was arrested after information he was allegedly working for the interests of an Iranian terror group with the aim of carrying out a criminal act against Israeli individuals.

“Specifically, the murder of Israeli nationals and in particular an Israeli businessman who holds a Cypriot passport,” the court decision said.

Though his defence put forth his family circumstances, court ultimately rejected the grounds of the appeal against his deportation.

In December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel helped Cyprus foil an Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jewish people on the island.

The two Iranian suspects were named as Mohammad Reza Ebadi Arablu and Sa’id Ebadi, whom police confirmed at the time would be deported.