“Edik” network: Key developments expected today in suspect’s extradition from occupied north

Local Crimeoccupied northorganised crimeTop News “Edik” network: Key developments expected today in suspect’s extradition from occupied north Untitled 111 1536x978 Relevant News “Edik” network: Key developments expected today in suspect’s extradition from occupied north 28 August 2026 Firefighters faced deadly danger from unexploded shell in Agia Anna fire as anger mounts 28 August 2026 Scientific committee proposes €611 million, 12-year plan to rebuild livestock sector 28 August 2026 Fanis Makrides 28 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Republic of Cyprus has taken on responsibility for the case of a 43-year-old Russian man, Alexei Sokpa, who is wanted by Greek authorities over his alleged role in the “Edik” ring and the murder of Vangelis Zabounis, while he remains in custody in the occupied north. Sokpa was arrested last Monday by “police” from the self-proclaimed “TRNC” during an operation in Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia, on a charge of illegally entering a military zone. Cyprus and Greece have been coordinating on the case from the outset. Cross-checked information obtained by philenews indicates that, following coordination between Cyprus Police and Greek Police, efforts are focused on the special bicommunal team made up of the Republic of Cyprus and the “TRNC”. The team handles such cases and has an informal channel, via the United Nations, for handing over people suspected of criminal offences. Cooperation via the UN The Greek Cypriot side’s central figure on the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Crime is former Police Chief Kypros Michaelides, who is reported to have been briefed on Sokpa’s circumstances and to have relayed the Cypriot side’s request. The prospect of using this informal cooperation between the Republic and the “TRNC” to achieve the ultimate goal of extraditing Sokpa to Greece is not based on sourcing alone. It also appeared plausible because of past cases. That precedent involved 36-year-old Daniel Yehonatan Zarug, wanted by Israeli authorities as a suspect in a deadly ambush in Ashdod on March 24, 2024, who was arrested in the occupied north a year earlier and handed over to the Republic of Cyprus through the United Nations after coordination by the bicommunal team. A philenews source said a scenario in which the 43-year-old is instead handed over to Turkey should not be ruled out. Picture set to become clearer The only certainty is that today, when the detention order the “TRNC” “court” issued against Sokpa on August 25 is due to expire, the situation is expected to become clearer, revealing the intentions of the occupied north’s “authorities” in the case. Cyprus link Sokpa is reported to have been active in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, where, as previously reported, “Edik” is said to have expanded his activities through local operatives. According to what “police” told the “court” last Tuesday, the 43-year-old told investigators he crossed into the government-controlled areas via the area near the illegal Tymbou airport, and that he returned to the occupied north through the same area in July 2026. “Police” said Sokpa had been living in the occupied north without a permit for 389 days, since July 31, 2025. In other words, based on what was presented in the “court,” the 43-year-old Edik associate was able to move freely between the occupied north and the Republic via illegal crossing points. Sokpa is wanted by Greek Police (ELAS) as a key suspect in the murder of Vangelis Zabounis, shot dead on January 14, 2024 near a petrol station in the Neos Kosmos area of Athens. Zabounis was hit by gunfire from a Kalashnikov and a pistol, in an attack police say involved 97 bullets and was carried out by three people. ELAS has linked the killing to a criminal organisation smuggling tobacco products, led by “Edik”. “Edik” was arrested in Dubai last July, with Cyprus Police closely following developments. His activities are believed, based on witness accounts, to have extended into Cyprus for some time. Police arrested two people last May suspected of links to him. In the first ten days of August, three more people linked to the network were arrested: one in Germany, aged 31, and two in Palaio Faliro, aged 49 and 37. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Firefighters faced deadly danger from unexploded shell in Agia Anna fire as anger mounts Scientific committee proposes €611 million, 12-year plan to rebuild livestock sector Why more Italians are choosing Cyprus — and the numbers behind the trend Binge it or skip it: This Is a Gardening Show – Galifianakis makes gardening cool Where to eat and drink this weekend: spritz, Locatelli and kerpasto Cyprus to introduce digital driving licences under new EU rules Things to do on Friday, August 28 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.