Police officer remanded on suspicion of giving detainee phone
A police officer was remanded for four days on Friday after being arrested for allegedly giving his mobile phone to a detainee while on guard duty in Larnaca.
The arrest, made on Thursday evening, is connected to an investigation into a shooting in central Larnaca earlier this month.
The officer appeared before Larnaca district court on Friday morning.
His defence attorney opposed the prosecution’s request for detention, arguing the proceedings should be public to address issues affecting all citizens.
The court ruled the case would be heard behind closed doors under article 12, which protects the official duties of service members.
Police said the officer is under investigation for abuse of power, fraud, transporting a mobile phone into detention facilities, dereliction of duty, bribery and corruption.
The case comes as the House plenum on Thursday approved legislation to criminalise the possession and use of mobile phones in the central prisons.
The amendments to the prisons law make the offences punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of €6,000, or both, for anyone, including detainees and members of the public.
Stricter sanctions apply to prison staff, who face up to three years imprisonment, a fine of €10,000, or both.
The law also covers possession, trafficking, import or export of other prohibited items or substances.
Five men were arrested earlier this month after a violent brawl and shooting in central Larnaca near the police headquarters on January 17. Their trial will begin on March 16.