Europol launches new ‘most-wanted’ campaign, includes Cyprus crimes
Europol on Wednesday launched a new campaign as part of ongoing investigations to find Europe’s most wanted fugitives, three of whom are wanted for crimes committed in Cyprus.
The new campaign urges the public to “be [Europol’s] next hero” by providing any leads or tips to the authorities.
“One tip could make all the difference in the fight against crime. One tip could help bring a dangerous fugitive down and save potential victims,” a written announcement said.
“Superheroes are not just for comics and you don’t need superhuman abilities to become a hero, you just need to keep your eyes peeled,” it added.
Two men, Sali Ahmet and Mehmet Akpinar, are wanted for the premeditated murder of British national George Low in Ayia Napa, in 2016.
Both suspects entered Cyprus from the north, and following an altercation with Low, who was fatally injured, the two fled back to the north, and were only tried by a court there for illegal entry.
According to the information provided by Europol, they had used knives against Low, who was fatally injured in the throat.
They are also wanted for the attempted murder of a second Brit, Ben Barker, who was stabbed multiple times.
The murder took place on August 14 2016 in Ayia Napa, and both men fled the scene and “are wanted on national and international level since”.
They are still wanted by the Cyprus police to stand trial for the murder of Low.
Also wanted is Aleks Burelli, who is wanted for the murder of three people in Ayia Napa in 2016.
“The fugitive and one accomplice wearing balaclavas entered a restaurant and by using pistols and automatic weapons killed three persons (a business man, a police officer and his wife in the presence of their two underage children) and seriously injured a second police officer and another person present at the scene”.
His accomplice was killed in the shootout, and Burelli fled the scene in a car that was later found burning.
Europol also said that Burelli had previously conspired to commit other murders in Cyprus as part of the same crime ring that organised the murder in Ayia Napa.