Four killed in shootout in Cyprus resortJune 25, 2016 - 11:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Four people were killed in a shootout outside a packed restaurant in the Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa that had the hallmarks of a gangland vendetta, police said on Friday, June 24, according to AFP. The deaths in the heart of the resort's nightclub district on Thursday evening raised fears of a blow to tourist confidence just as the holiday island was hoping for a record summer season. Masked gunmen opened fire on a well-known local businessman, his dining partners and bodyguards as they were leaving the restaurant at around 10:30 pm. An armed off-duty policeman who was with the businessman returned fire, killing one of the gunmen, identified by police as a 41-year-old Albanian, AFP says. Businessman Phanos Kalopsidiotis, 51, was killed. So too was a second off-duty policeman in his entourage, Elias Hadjiefthymiou, 46, and his wife Skevi, 39. The couple were gunned down in front of their teenage children. The policeman who returned fire was in critical condition in hospital on Friday with wounds to the head, arm, leg and chest. One of the businessman's bodyguards was also wounded. The attack took place just 600 metres from the site of another deadly shooting four years ago in which five people died in a contract killing. Kalopsidiotis was believed to have been the target of that hit too, AFP says. Two years later, his father, Yiannos, was murdered outside his home not far from Ayia Napa. The resort's nightclubs have long been popular with British and Russian tourists. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |