Commando officer arrested for stashing explosives

An army commando officer with Cyprus Special Forces, known as the green berets, was placed under arrest in connection with an accidental discovery of a small arsenal stashed away in Stavrovouni.

(Click here for an update to the story)

According to media reports, authorities were notified on August 1 regarding a cache of weapons and explosives hidden in the ceiling inside the communal showers at the Stavrovouni army camp.

The discovery was accidental according to reports, when a maintenance worker found a heavy-duty waterproof cloth during repairs in the ceiling.

It later turned out that inside an army tarpaulin, according to police, there were a revolver, explosives, a match cord, a hood, a smoke grenade and a hand grenade.

DNA tests later pointed to a permanent commission army officer, who was placed under arrest.

The officer denied any involvement at the time of his arrest. 

A Larnaca Distirct Court judge on Wednesday ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody for six days.

Police initially requested eight days, but the court rejected the request, saying six days would be enough time for preliminary investigation.