Nicosia Court doubles arson sentence for 26-year-old

The Nicosia Court of Appeal has doubled the prison sentence of a 26-year-old man convicted of arson involving a motor vehicle. The court increased the penalty from one year to two years following an appeal by the Attorney General, who argued the initial sentence was insufficient given the severity of the crime.

The incident occurred on November 7, 2023, in a parking area in central Nicosia. The defendant admitted to setting fire to a vehicle belonging to an individual with whom he had a personal dispute stemming from jealousy. The court noted that the act, committed in the early hours of the morning, created significant risks to the public and nearby property.

While the court increased the term, it maintained the suspension of the sentence. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal cited several mitigating factors for the defendant, including his clean criminal record, immediate admission of guilt, cooperation with authorities, and full compensation for damages. The court emphasized the necessity of deterrent sentences for arson offenses due to their inherent dangers, but determined that the defendant's personal circumstances warranted a second chance.