Police arrest man after hostage situation in Larnaca

On March 25, 2026, a 36-year-old Cameroonian national was arrested in Larnaca, Cyprus, following an armed standoff at an apartment block on Polygyrou Street. Around 3:30 pm, the suspect appeared on a balcony wielding a knife and threatening two women, aged 35 and 40, who were inside the apartment. Police cordoned off the area and deployed negotiators from the Larnaca Criminal Investigation Department (TAE) and Nicosia. After approximately two hours of negotiations, the suspect released the hostages one by one and eventually surrendered to authorities. The women were taken to the hospital for medical examinations as a precaution, and the suspect was taken into custody for questioning. While some local reports suggested the suspect and one of the victims might be siblings and mentioned financial disputes, these details remain unverified by official police statements. The suspect, who reportedly met the women months prior, could not provide a motive during initial questioning.