By Yannis Souliotis
Arson attacks, shootings, extortion and money laundering — these are among the allegations Cypriot police and judicial authorities are attributing to a group of Russian-speaking criminals originally from the former Soviet Union.
The same group, according to Greek police, is also believed to be behind four contract killings targeting Greek nightclub businessmen linked to the so-called “Greek Mafia.”
On May 15, Cypriot authorities issued detention warrants for a couple living in Limassol who are reportedly relatives of the alleged leader of the group, known by the nickname “Endik.” The pair were investigated in connection with organized crime offenses and, according to media reports in Cyprus, were later released under conditions.
However, information contained in official court documents paints what authorities describe as a revealing picture of the criminal organization’s activities both in Cyprus and abroad.
The documents show that law enforcement agencies in Cyprus and Greece have been cooperating closely in recent months, exchanging intelligence and information. They also confirm earlier reports that the group’s alleged leader had fled to Dubai.
“He appears to be in Dubai, from where he continues his criminal activities in Greece and Cyprus through local associates,” the documents reportedly state.
Cypriot authorities accuse the group of involvement in extortion schemes targeting businessmen, vehicle arsons, and threats against companies operating even within the financial sector. Investigators say the aim was to extract “protection money.”
Among the incidents reportedly linked to the group are threats and arson attacks involving the betting company Onewin in Limassol, as well as the company Paris Match. Authorities allege that members of the group demanded shares in the company and, when refused, set company vehicles on fire.
Police also believe the same network was behind threats and extortion attempts targeting Ukrainian businessman Dmitry Punin, who was reportedly a friend of murdered football agent Stavros Demosthenous in Cyprus.
Four luxury vehicles belonging to Punin were set on fire in late 2025, while earlier this year a liquor store owned by him in Limassol was also targeted in an arson attack.
The group is additionally suspected of being connected to a shooting attack on a hotel in central Limassol. According to investigators, the hotel owner had previously received demands for €20 million over the phone.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Cypriot authorities note that victims have allegedly refused to formally identify the people threatening them, citing fears for their own safety and that of their families.
The detention warrants concern the alleged leader’s cousin and her husband. Court documents reveal that between January 2025 and May 15, 2026, the woman traveled twice to Dubai and four times to Thessaloniki, while her husband reportedly made eight trips between Cyprus and Thessaloniki.
Authorities suspect the trips may have been linked to the movement of money on behalf of the criminal organization.
Investigators also noted that although the couple declared very low incomes, financial checks showed they had purchased vehicles worth around €270,000 and held cash deposits amounting to tens of thousands of euros.