Fanieros Arrested for Questioning in Organised Crime Case

Suspected gambling kingpin Antonis Fanieros has been remanded for eight days in Larnaca for questioning on multiple serious allegations, including blackmail, threats and running organised crime, said a police spokeswoman.

Asked whether his arrest has anything to do with UEFA's match-fixing investigation, the spokeswoman said that this and several other allegations would be looked into over the next few weeks. He's due to be investigated for 20 separate crimes, it emerged after the court hearing.

Fanieros' house was surrounded by police who were masked to hide their identities last night, September 22nd.

His son Loukas - who ran Ermis football team and now runs Ethnikos-Achnas - was prevented from entering the building, according to information from the state news agency. Fanieros' lawyer Antonis Indianos said he had been informed that the arrest warrant was for attempted murder.

The 67-year-old has been connected with a betting shop network and was the target of a gangland hit in 1997 when he took a bullet to the neck in a drive-by shooting. His son Loukas (pictured above) was also the target of a hit in 1998 but escaped injury. 

Authorities have also arrested a 44-year-old English-Cypriot man in connection with their investigation. Fanierous, who said he had health problems after his remand, is currently in hospital but the doctor who ordered him there is now also under investigation, said police.