Israeli businessmen targeted by attempted assassinations in Cyprus

Israeli businessmen were reportedly targeted by an assassin in Cyprus who was caught. Targeted Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi's company has called the incident Iranian terror.

Nicosia, Cyprus’ capital, asrpires to become an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, linking east to west (photo credit: NICOSIA MUNICIPALITY)
Nicosia, Cyprus’ capital, asrpires to become an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, linking east to west
(photo credit: NICOSIA MUNICIPALITY)

Israeli businessmen were targeted by attempted assassinations in Cyprus recently, the Cypriot Kathimerini news site reported last week.

According to the report, a 38-year-old Russian national of Azeri descent is suspected of plotting to assassinate a number of Israeli businessmen living in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. 

The case is being kept tightly under wraps due to national security concerns, according to Kathimerini.

At least a few of the targeted businessmen were reportedly informed of the plot through intelligence and managed to escape the country in the nick of time. 

Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, the founder of the Playtech and SafeCharge companies, was saved from an assassination attempt in Cyprus after the security establishment in Cyprus warned him of the planned assassination, Walla news reported on Sunday.

The assassination was reportedly planned due to Sagi's debts to his Russian partners, who sold the debts to the Russian mafia. Sagi had served several months in prison in the past for bribery and fraud.

The Teddy Sagi Group called the incident an "Iranian terror attempt," adding that Sagi was not the target, but Israelis in Cyprus were.

"It is unfortunate that it is so easy to publish false information and damage someone's name," added the group.

Police are searching for additional suspects or accomplices in the case. It is as of yet unclear what the motive for the planned assassinations was.