**Two to Stand Trial for Attempted Armed Robberies in Kiti and Larnaca**
Two men, aged 41 and 33, have been ordered to stand trial in connection with attempted armed robberies at a bank in Kiti and a jewellery shop in Larnaca. The decision was made during a session at the Larnaca district court on Thursday, which referred the case to the Larnaca criminal court. The trial is set to begin on October 7 at 8:30 AM.
The defendants face multiple serious charges, including attempted armed robbery of both the bank and the jewellery shop, possession of explosives, carrying firearms, causing grievous bodily harm, theft of vehicle registration plates, and conspiracy to commit a felony. The 41-year-old defendant is a European citizen, while the 33-year-old is identified as a third-country national.
During the court proceedings, both defendants' lawyers argued against their continued detention until the trial. Adriana Klaedes, representing the older defendant, contended that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to warrant a conviction. She highlighted that, despite the extensive evidence collected during the investigation, there was no direct link to her client through DNA or fingerprint analysis. Klaedes pointed out discrepancies in eyewitness accounts, stating that descriptions of the suspects did not match her client. Eyewitnesses reportedly described the individuals involved in the attempted bank robbery as young men, with ages ranging from 20 to 35, which she argued did not correspond with her client's profile.
The lawyer for the second defendant echoed similar sentiments, asserting that his client's previous convictions alone were not enough to justify keeping him in custody. He also supported Klaedes' claims regarding the weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
The charges stem from two separate incidents that occurred earlier this year. The first incident took place on June 19, when two masked individuals arrived at a bank branch in Kiti in a saloon car. They approached the bank's entrance but were unable to enter due to a controlled entry system that prevented the doors from opening. After a brief wait, they left the scene in their vehicle.
The second incident occurred on July 6, when a man entered a jewellery shop in Larnaca around 9 AM, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, a food delivery company vest, and a full-face motorcycle helmet. He brandished a handgun at the shop's 73-year-old owner. In a struggle, the shop owner was struck on the head with the firearm, resulting in a laceration. Despite his injuries, he managed to force the suspect out of the shop before any items were stolen. The assailant fled in a vehicle that was reportedly driven by another individual, believed to be a foreign national. The shop owner was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment and was later discharged.
The Larnaca criminal court is expected to make a decision on Friday regarding whether the defendants will remain in custody until the trial begins. The outcome of the trial will determine the legal repercussions for the accused, as they face serious charges that could result in significant penalties if convicted.