Newsroom
A 39-year-old man was arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with an attempted murder that shocked Limassol earlier this week, police said.
The arrest, made around 3:30 p.m. under a court warrant, comes as part of an ongoing investigation into Monday night’s shooting outside a hotel in Limassol. Authorities say about 10 people were involved in an altercation that ended with a 42-year-old man being shot in the abdomen. The victim was rushed to hospital, where he remains under medical care.
Police are still hunting for a second suspect, 44-year-old David Gazzaev from Russia. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and officers have released his name and photographs to the public in hopes of tracking him down. Gazzaev has been wanted since September 29, when police first appealed for information on his whereabouts.
The investigation, led by Limassol’s Criminal Investigation Department, is ongoing. Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive for the confrontation, which escalated into gunfire in a busy area outside the hotel.
Police are urging anyone with information about Gazzaev’s movements to come forward immediately.
Rising concerns over violent incidents in Limassol
While Cyprus is often viewed as having relatively low levels of violent crime compared to other countries in the region, Limassol in recent years has seen a handful of high-profile cases involving shootings, suspected murders and public disturbances.
Just days ago, police reclassified what seemed to be a fall-related death in Limassol as a possible homicide after forensic analysis revealed penetrating abdominal wounds not consistent with an accidental fall.
Authorities say these incidents reflect shifts in the nature of urban crime and pose challenges in prevention, witness protection, and rapid suspect identification.
Public confidence in law and order is being tested, especially when violent events occur in otherwise busy, central urban settings. Many locals now call for faster responses, better surveillance, and more visible policing in nightlife and hotel zones considered vulnerable.
As the investigation into this week’s shooting continues, many will be watching how swiftly Gazzaev is located and whether new arrests follow, both to bring justice to the victim and to send a message about safety in Limassol’s public spaces.
