Three individuals with alleged links to Hamas were on Thursday referred to criminal trial, where they face charges of terrorism and participation in a criminal organisation.

The first hearing in the trial before Larnaca criminal court has been scheduled for August 6.

On Thursday the suspects appeared before Larnaca district court where the charges were filed initially. Having heard the evidence presented to it, the court decided to refer the three to a criminal trial.

The proceedings were held behind closed doors, with the suspects brought to court under heavy security.

The three suspects facing trial are aged 32, 38 and 57.

Police had arrested a fourth individual – the brother of the 57-year-old – but later released him having found no evidence linking him to the case.

The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) cited sources saying the suspects aged 32 and 38 are thought to have planned acts of terrorism against “Israeli targets” in Cyprus.

The two are considered to be linked to Hamas, while the 57-year-old is believed to have had contacts with the militant group.

Regarding the 38-year-old man, who entered the territory of the Republic via the north, authorities consider him the ‘brains’ of the venture – he was allegedly in charge of operations planning, the manufacture of explosive devices, as well as target selection.

Suspicions about him heightened following the arrest in Crete last weekend of a 37-year-old man. Greek media reported that this person confessed that in August 2025 he and the 38-year-old visited a “Hamas camp” in Malaysia, where they received training in fabricating explosive devices.

According to the same reports, the 37-year-old claimed to have received financial support from the 38-year-old suspect.

Regarding the suspect aged 32, a Palestinian, he had been living in Cyprus for the past few years with this wife and child.

Investigations reportedly connected him to two residences – one at Governor’s Beach, the other at Kamares, Larnaca.

CNA reported that authorities discovered “quantities of chemical substances and raw materials” which could have been used to manufacture explosives – such as ammonium nitrate.

Some of the materials were purchased in Cyprus.

Initially authorities here had detained four suspects following intelligence-led operations that a network had been established in Cyprus with connections to Hamas.

The suspect arrested in Crete reportedly told investigators that he had reconsidered his involvement but ultimately proceeded with the trip to Malaysia after arrangements had already been made on his behalf.

Investigators are examining evidence relating to overseas travel, alleged terrorist training and communications between suspects detained in different jurisdictions.

Attention has also focused on the family connections of one of the older suspects.

One of the children serves in the Cyprus police and is said to have access to databases containing information relating to Cypriot and foreign nationals, while three others are employed by the National Guard as contract soldiers.

However, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas on Wednesday sought to draw a distinction between the investigation into their father and the professional conduct of his children.

Palmas called for restraint in public discussion surrounding the case and urged the public to allow authorities to carry out their investigations.

“We should say as little as possible on the matter and let the police do their duty, as they know best, to investigate the case,” he said.

Responding to questions regarding the employment in the National Guard of the children of one of the suspects, Palmas said their reputation should be protected while the investigation remains ongoing.

“Trust us as the National Guard that we know how the force’s human resources work,” he said.

“They have not given us reason to suspect anything regarding their professional careers.”

He added: “We must not disregard their rights,” warning against damaging the reputation of individuals against whom no evidence has emerged.

President Nikos Christodoulides has declined to discuss operational aspects of the case, citing national security concerns.

On Thursday deputy police chief Panikos Stavrou, while refraining from commenting on the case’s details, affirmed that the force’s investigation into the terrorism network has been completed.