Attempted murder of 33-year-old in Ayia Napa

On the morning of August 21, 2026, around 5:40 a.m., an unidentified group attempted to murder a 33-year-old man in the Kokkines area of Ayia Napa. The perpetrators fired approximately 10 shots from an automatic weapon at the victim's car as he was returning home from a nightclub where he works. Despite the number of shots fired, the 33-year-old was not injured, although his vehicle sustained significant damage, and bullets reportedly struck a neighboring residence.

Shortly after the incident, a burning car was discovered in an open area in Avgorou. Police investigations, led by the Famagusta Criminal Investigation Department (TAE), are currently focusing on whether this vehicle was used by the assailants. Evidence suggests the vehicle was displaying false license plates. The authorities are investigating multiple motives, including a potential connection to the victim's brother, who is currently serving a life sentence for the 2016 Ayia Napa quadruple murder. Additionally, investigators are looking into a recent confrontation involving local nightlife figures regarding shop protection rackets.

The 33-year-old victim, who had no prior criminal record, is cooperating with police as investigators map the suspects' route and analyze evidence from the two crime scenes. The case is being treated as an attempted murder, and further efforts to trace the attackers through CCTV and witness testimony are ongoing.