Police file Perikleous case to criminal court

Without a body or a murder weapon yet discovered, police on Wednesday proceeded with the registration of the abduction and alleged murder case of 31-year-old Angelos Perikleous to the Nicosia Criminal Court.

The joint indictment includes the names of the 25-year-old main suspect in Perikleous’ disappearance, his 71-year-old uncle and his 59-year-old mother, with the first facing the most serious charge of premeditated murder.

The trial will begin on June 6.

According to police spokesperson Christos Andreou, in addition to premeditated murder, the 25-year-old will also face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, abduction with intent to commit murder, vehicle arson, illegal possession and use of firearm and explosives.

The 71-year-old will face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and vehicle arson, while the mother of the 25-year-old will face the charge of aiding and abetting, as she is alleged to have provided a false alibi for her son, according to her statement to the police.

A 38-year-old man who was under arrest in connection to the case was released without charges. He will likely be used as a witness for the prosecution.

Asked to comment on the 25-year-old’s decision to exercise his right to remain silent, Andreou told the Cyprus News Agency that the case was further analysed by the legal service.

“They decided that, even without direct statements made by the 25-year-old, there is enough evidence to take the case to the Criminal Court,” he said.

In his written testimony, the 71-year-old said that his nephew asked him to burn Perikleous’ vehicle, which was found on April 21 near a shooting range in Palaiometocho, and confessed to him that he shot and killed the 31-year-old before burying him.

Regarding the search for the body, Andreou added that the investigations will continue at an accelerated pace, without ruling out the disclosure of information about its whereabouts of the body during the trial.