Five Swedish men arrested over alleged Cyprus murder plot

Five Swedish men have been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of preparing to murder British twin brothers, in what police believe may be an international criminal conspiracy.

The men, all in their 20s, were detained on Friday in Paphos during a planned operation as they travelled in a car. Police found a pistol, two knives and gloves in the vehicle. A search of a property uncovered further evidence, including notes, documents and $1,400 in cash.

The arrests follow the discovery of an alleged murder plot on the island last weekend. Two Norwegians and an Irishman were detained at that time. They are suspected of hiring a Danish contract killer to murder the British brothers who were expected to visit Cyprus.

The three suspects allegedly did not know that the Danish man was actually an undercover police officer. They contacted him through the Signal app and offered him 650,000 Danish kroner for the assignment. The Irishman and the two Norwegians allegedly bought him a plane ticket and obtained a motorcycle and a weapon intended for the double murder.

Before the Danish officer arrived in Cyprus, Danish authorities alerted Europol. Police have not explained what role the five Swedish men allegedly played in the plot. Dagens Nyheter said it had contacted Europol and was seeking comment from Sweden’s Foreign Ministry.