Terror suspect appears in Cyprus court, admits Hezbollah ties

Proceedings continued in Cyprus on Thursday at the District Court in the southern coastal town of Limassol where a man is being tried of allegedly planning terror attacks on Israeli tourists on the island, similar to the Hezbollah bombing in Bulgaria last year that left five Israelis dead.

The 24-year-old Lebanese who holds a Swedish passport, is charged with espionage, participation in a terrorist organisation and planning a terrorist attack against Israeli targets.

On Wednesday, the suspect initially denied any involvement in a terrorist organisation but later admitted to being a member of Hezbollah for the past four years. He said he was acting as a member of a party and did not support "fanatic Islam."

The suspect has admitted in court to staking out locations frequented by Israeli tourists, recording flight arrivals and bus routes and checking out a hospital parking lot.

The prosecution had requested time to study his testimony in order to begin his cross-examination, which got underway on Thursday.

The court adjourned the hearing that will resume on March 7 and that the suspect would remain in custody.

Defence lawyer Antonis Georgiades said the suspect acted alone and that instructions where given to him “in complete secrecy” by an unidentified man.

Cyprus police arrested the man last July, several days before the bombing in Bulgaria.