18-year-old prisoner escapes and is recaptured in Larnaca

On October 12, 2026, an 18-year-old foreign national escaped from police custody at the Larnaca District Court. The individual, who was being held in connection with cases of burglary and theft, managed to flee from a police transport van while being held for a scheduled court hearing. While most reports identified the detainee as Syrian, one source (en.philenews) reported he was of Palestinian origin and involved in car theft. The escape triggered a massive police mobilization, with officers scouring the area around the courthouse and throughout the city.

Following a brief manhunt, the teenager was located and rearrested by police in the center of Larnaca around 14:30. The authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the escape, specifically focusing on how the suspect managed to exit the police vehicle, with reports noting that at least one door was found open and the suspect was not wearing handcuffs at the time of the incident. This event follows a similar security breach reported in Nicosia just days prior, raising questions about current prisoner transport protocols.