Newsroom
A quiet Paphos street turned into a crime scene Friday morning after an explosion ripped through a company’s offices on Dimokratias Avenue, and police say it wasn’t just any explosion. It was caused by a hand grenade.
The blast, which happened sometime during the night but was discovered around 8:45 a.m., shattered windows, damaged a parked car, and left the area sealed off as police forensic teams rushed in.
Deputy Police Chief Michalis Nikolaou confirmed that initial investigations point to a grenade being placed under the company’s surveillance system, a detail that’s now a key focus for investigators combing through security footage in hopes of identifying the person behind the attack.
The company itself is officially registered in the food supplement trade, but sources suggest it may also have links to a Forex group of companies, a claim police have not confirmed but are actively looking into.
At the time of the explosion, the offices were closed, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. Employees discovered the damage when they arrived for work Friday morning.
The incident comes at a time when Cyprus’ Forex industry, known for its sometimes shadowy network of firms, is once again under scrutiny.
Only a few months ago, Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos stirred controversy by publicly alleging that some companies in the sector may be linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. His comments reignited concerns about oversight and the reputation of Cyprus as a financial hub.
Now, with an explosion outside an office reportedly tied to the same industry, those concerns are back in the headlines and louder than ever.
Investigators are treating the case as a targeted attack, though the motive remains unclear. Police spent the morning collecting fragments from the blast site, reviewing nearby CCTV footage, and interviewing witnesses.
Deputy Chief Nikolaou said all evidence, from the grenade’s placement to surveillance footage, will be analyzed to determine whether the explosion was meant as a warning, an act of retaliation, or something else entirely.
While residents in the area were understandably shaken, police have urged calm, emphasizing that this appears to be an isolated incident rather than a broader threat to public safety.
