Police thwart contract killing plot in Cyprus

Cypriot authorities have successfully thwarted an alleged contract killing plot targeting Giorgos Xiourouppas, a 55-year-old former convict residing in a village near Limassol. The police operation, codenamed "AIGIS," was initiated by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime following intelligence that a remote-controlled explosive device was to be detonated in the victim's car. Four men, aged 32, 36, 48, and 70, were arrested in Nicosia on November 10 and 11, 2026, and have been remanded in custody for eight days by the Nicosia District Court to facilitate ongoing investigations.

Evidence presented to the court suggests that the contract was valued at €800,000, with a €400,000 advance payment. The plot was allegedly ordered by a financier currently based in Dubai who had previous financial disputes with the victim. Authorities discovered that 820 grams of Semtex explosives were involved, though the 70-year-old suspect, a former prison acquaintance of the target, reportedly destroyed the detonators after learning the identity of the intended victim. The police are currently searching for two additional suspects believed to be abroad, and international arrest warrants through Interpol and Europol are expected to be issued.