Yeri murder suspect to stand trial on September 28

A 58-year-old man will stand trial for the murder of his neighbour and the attempted murder of the victim’s father during an argument over a parking spot in Yeri on August 11.

The defendant appeared before Nicosia district court on Friday where police submitted the case for immediate trial. It was referred to the Criminal Court for September 28.

The court ordered that he remain in police custody.

Citing the results of their investigation, police said that at around 9.00 am on August 11 the defendant had allegedly shot and fatally injured the 29-year-old with a shotgun. He also allegedly shot at the 52-year-old who was at the scene and who was seriously injured. He is still being treated at Nicosia General Hospital.

Police who rushed to the scene caught the defendant as he allegedly tried to flee.

The incident took place on Karpasias street, when the three allegedly started arguing because the suspect had been parking on the pavement thus blocking access to the house of the two victims.

At some point during the argument, the 58-year-old went to his house and grabbed his shotgun.

He allegedly first opened fire on the 29-year-old son, Stavros Antoniou, hitting him in the head, before turning the weapon on the father, Frangiskos, whom he injured.

The suspect was arrested while trying to escape his house through the backdoor, while still holding the shotgun.

Police said it appears that the two victims have had several arguments with their neighbour in the past months.