Man arrested for threatening a judge

A man was detained Thursday for attempting to intimidate a judge of the rent court, following a complaint that he made threats against her over the phone.

According to media reports, a 55-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly made a threatening phone call to the secretary of a judge who would be presiding over his case at the Rent Control Court.

The man reportedly made the call on Tuesday in an effort to fish out information about the judge, trying to ascertain whether she might be a relative of a specific individual, according to Philenews. The suspect, who spoke to a secretary, warned that judges were not irreplaceable.

“I will send her for plastic (surgery),” the caller allegedly said.

The call was reportedly made from an unregistered number according to local media. The exact details were not made known while experts will be called in to examine whether the phone conversation contained actual threats as defined by law.

Police arrested the suspect on charges of obstruction of justice and threatening a judge. He then appeared before a Nicosia District Court judge, who ordered his release on a €5000 bail while he is also required to report to a local police station once a week until his hearing on October 21.

Media reports said there were other outstanding fines against the suspect. But it was not clear whether they had anything to do with his case before the Rent Control Court, which has jurisdiction over matters regarding recovery of possession of controlled rented property and the determination of fair rent.