Mafia boss’s UAE arrest attracts Russia’s interest; Cyprus Police follows developments

Local CrimeGreecemafiaorganised crimepoliceTop NewsUAE Mafia boss’s UAE arrest attracts Russia’s interest; Cyprus Police follows developments Mafia Boss's Uae Arrest Attracts Russia's Interest; Cyprus Police Follows Developments Relevant News Mafia boss’s UAE arrest attracts Russia’s interest; Cyprus Police follows developments 13 July 2026 Bangkok pub fire kills 27, police investigating possible negligence 13 July 2026 Police question person over Saturday bomb threats 13 July 2026 Fanis Makrides 13 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Russia is reported to be showing interest in the case of the man known as “Edik,” who, according to information, is currently in the hands of authorities in Dubai. Edik has been presented as the leader of a Russian-Ukrainian gang blamed for the killing of senior Greek Mafia figures, having reportedly expanded its activities into Cyprus. Reliable information obtained by philenews from a valid source in Greece indicates that Russian authorities contacted the Greek government in the past 24 hours over the suspect’s case. The Russians are reported to have indicated in their message that they hold Greek authorities responsible for respecting Edik’s rights, should the United Arab Emirates proceed with his extradition to Greece. Edik is reportedly described as a Russian citizen, while the official note is said to refer to the need to safeguard his physical wellbeing. This reported development involving the Russians, as philenews is in a position to know, has been brought before circles dealing with intelligence matters in Cyprus and is under assessment. As our newspaper is in a position to know, while Russian interest in Edik is not surprising, it was not widely known that he also held a Russian passport. What was known was that he traces his origin to countries of the former Soviet bloc. A source of ours commented, however, that “the possibility cannot be excluded that Edik was granted Russian citizenship.” Reports in Greece have said Edik was placed under arrest by authorities in Dubai. Greek authorities had been seeking him after issuing a European arrest warrant (04/03/2024) and an Interpol red notice (29/04/2025). Edik is reported to have been detained on the basis of the red notice. Cyprus Police, which considers itself directly affected by these developments given the suspect’s intense criminal activity in Cyprus through associates on the island controlling local operators, added his name to the wanted persons list on 02/05/2024, “with instructions to arrest him wherever located.” The same information indicates that Edik’s lawyers are currently working to have him extradited to Russia rather than Greece, where he is suspected of felony offences. As a Cyprus Police investigator told a court last May, the wanted man is behind illegal factory operations and cigarette trafficking in Greece, as well as contract killings carried out on Greek soil. In the past, as we understand, Edik had also been arrested in Dubai, but no action was taken against him. As we noted in our report in philenews last Saturday, Cyprus Police and Greek Police have maintained continuous contact over the Edik case, exchanging information. Indeed, Cyprus Police last May arrested a couple residing in Limassol, linking them to financial crimes carried out in Cyprus on the wanted man’s behalf. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Bangkok pub fire kills 27, police investigating possible negligence Police question person over Saturday bomb threats Hungary parliament set to oust president in Magyar’s power shake-up Extreme heat threatens Italy’s Parmesan heartland The six main shareholders and 19-member board behind Cyprus’s new cooperative bank Heavy floods submerge roads, vehicles in northern China EU to appoint Cyprus problem envoy at vice-president level Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.