Nicosia, Oct 21 (AP) Police in Cyprus said Saturday they arrested four Syrians on suspicion of setting off a small explosive device that caused no damage not far from Israeli Embassy in the capital Nicosia.

Police said the four, ranging in ages between 17 and 21, face charges of attempted destruction of property using explosives, possession and use of explosives and possession of a knife.

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Police did not say whether the bombing some 30 metres (98 feet) from the Israeli Embassy was connected to the war in Gaza.

Security has been stepped up across the European Union following Hamas' attack on Israel October 7 and the ensuing hostilities.

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A Nicosia court ordered that the suspects remain in police detention for six days until investigators can formally bring charges against them or release them.

According to police, two of the suspects were spotted walking near the scene of the explosion, while the other two were sitting inside a car parked in a nearby alley. Two knives and a hammer were also found inside the vehicle.

Bomb squad officers said a “very small quantity of pyrotechnic material" was found inside a small metallic object at the scene. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)