Greek Cypriot man sent to prison in North Cyprus for trading stolen bicycle for phone

A Greek Cypriot man has been arrested in north Cyprus after allegedly stealing a bicycle from the south and exchanging it for a mobile phone in the north.

The man identified only as IK accused of stealing a bicycle in Southern Cyprus and trading it for a mobile phone in the North, appeared in court on Tuesday June 10.

A police officer testified that the bicycle, valued at approximately 3,800 Turkish Lira (€85), along with a helmet worth 2,000 TL (€45), had been stolen from Solomou Square in Nicosia around 5 p.m. on May 8.

According to the police, the suspect later traded the bicycle for a Redmi Note 8 mobile phone, worth 2,500 TL (€56), after falsely claiming it was his property.

The incident came to the attention of the authorities last Thursday, and the man was apprehended on Friday while attempting to cross into the north via the Ledra Street checkpoint.

In court, the suspect denied the theft, stating, “I have children and grandchildren” and “I did not steal the bike.”

The judge ordered that he be remanded in custody for ten days pending further investigation.