Four arrested following arson of three vehicles in Dali

In the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026, a deliberate act of arson occurred in Dali, Nicosia, resulting in the destruction of three vehicles. The fire, reported at 03:32, affected one vehicle parked on a public road and two others located within a residential garage. The blaze was brought under control by the Acropolis Fire Station by 04:02. While initial reports indicated two vehicles were destroyed and a third sustained extensive damage, authorities later confirmed all three were heavily impacted.

Following a coordinated operation by the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department (TAE), four suspects—two aged 20, one aged 21, and one aged 24—were arrested. Investigations revealed the suspects had traveled from Limassol to execute the arson under orders. Their getaway vehicle was identified through security camera footage, which led authorities to them after they were involved in a serious traffic accident in Paramali, Limassol. One suspect was hospitalized following the crash, which was exacerbated by a faulty Takata airbag, though he is now reported to be out of danger.

One suspect has confessed to the arson. While three of the suspects remain in police custody under an eight-day remand order issued by the Nicosia District Court, the fourth individual is expected to be released as investigation suggests he was merely the previous owner of the vehicle used by the perpetrators. Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the attack and whether the targets were indeed the intended ones.