Two main suspects charged over Syrian’s murder

Authorities on Monday filed a separate case against two Syrian men, 22 and 25, suspected of killing a compatriot during a fight in Paphos last year.

Nine other Syrians are also facing charges as accessories in the case.

The two had escaped to the north after the crime in April and were handed over by Turkish Cypriots in December.

The victim, Jamal Alhadz, had been stabbed multiple times with a knife during an altercation in the Vrexi area on the coastal road between Chlorakas and Kato Paphos.

The killing was related to matters of honour.

Police were notified of the incident but officers who went to the area could not find the 20-year-old.

They continued their investigation the next day and found him dead hidden in a riverbed.

Police initially detained nine suspects, aged between 19 and 31, in connection with the case. Some claimed their aim was only to intimidate the 20-year-old to make him stop his relationship and that they had tried to prevent his fatal injury.

They are now facing manslaughter charges, among others.

The prosecution requested that the two main suspects remain in custody until the start of their trial on February 15.

The criminal court granted the request but reserved its decision on a similar request concerning seven of the nine other defendants for Wednesday. The prosecutor cited the statements given by the two main suspects.

The remaining two defendants had been released on bail from the start, while the seven were released in November.

Defence lawyers for the seven suspects objected to the state’s request, arguing that the pair’s statements offered nothing new.

The trial of the nine men is scheduled for April 14, 15, and 16.