The eight people arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist financing network in Cyprus have been released, police confirmed on Tuesday, after failing to secure sufficient evidence to support the charges.
The suspects, seven men and one woman, all Syrian nationals residing in Cyprus, were arrested last week in the Limassol and Paphos districts on suspicion of funding a never officially named terrorist organisation in Syria.
They had been remanded in police custody for six days for questioning but were not brought before the court again, as the police did not request an extension of their detention or file charges.
Police spokesman Christos Andreou had initially stated that the eight were suspected of securing funds to finance the terrorist organisation and were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, participation in a criminal organisation and violating anti-terrorism laws.
At the time of their arrest, Andreou clarified that while the suspects were believed to be connected to a foreign terrorist organisation, there was no indication that they had planned any terrorist acts in Cyprus or elsewhere.
The investigation also explored whether the funds were raised through illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Authorities did not disclose the name of the terrorist organisation or details of the investigation, including whether any foreign assistance had been involved.
