Larnaca court sentences two minors for hotel arson

The Larnaca District Court today sentenced two 17-year-old unaccompanied minors from Syria to two years of immediate imprisonment after finding them guilty of arson in a case that was heard behind closed doors. The hotel, located in Oroklini, was functioning as a facility for unaccompanied minor migrants at the time of the incident.

According to police sources, the two minors faced a total of three charges: two for arson and one for conspiracy to commit a felony. A third minor, who was also accused, was acquitted and cleared of all charges.

The offenses occurred in the early hours of June 5 at the hotel, which housed approximately 80 unaccompanied minors. Initial reports indicated that a fire broke out on the night of June 4 in mattresses but was extinguished with the assistance of the Fire Department. A second fire, detected early on June 5, caused extensive damage to the hotel’s second floor and common areas on the third floor.

No minors or staff members from the Social Welfare Services present in the building were injured during the incidents. Following the fires, the unaccompanied minors were relocated to other facilities in Larnaca.