Five sent to trial over alleged protection racket in Larnaca

Five men were sent to trial before the Larnaca permanent criminal court on Wednesday over a violent clash involving gunfire in the city centre earlier this month, while police continue to search for additional suspects believed to have fled abroad.

The court set the trial date for March 16.

Those referred to trial are a 48-year-old Cypriot and four foreign nationals, aged between 20 and 32.

Police describe the 48-year-old as the alleged leader of the criminal group.