Intensive investigations continue into Limassol murder (Updated)

Police on Monday were cross-referencing information and examining some CCTV footage of the Parekklisia area where a 39-year-old was murdered on Saturday night.

According to Limassol police, the results of ballistics tests are expected to shed light on the weapons used to kill the man, Christos Charilaou, who was shot outside his home.

Police have said that Charilaou lived in a remote area of Parekklisia, but Limassol police spokesman Lefteris Kyriacou told the Cyprus Mail that some CCTV footage from around the area, including other homes is being examined.

“Several people have been questioned from the victim’s circle, as well as people that made contact or did business with him,” he said.

Commenting on the cause of what has been deemed an organised crime to CNA, Kyriacou said that police are examining some information they have on possible motives.

“We have some information that we are cross-referencing in relation to the motives, and for who might possibly be the suspects,” he said.

Regarding how the suspects escaped, Kyriacou said there is some information about their activities, but for now there is nothing more specific.

Kyriacou added that the police are awaiting the ballistic testing to be completed to determine, which gun was used to kill Charilaou.

Charilaou was killed on Saturday at around 11pm, after returning home to his wife and two children with food. He was shot three times outside his house.

The post-mortem performed by state pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou at the Limassol general hospital showed that Charilaou had died from internal bleeding because of a ruptured lung.

Samples have been taken from the victim’s body for further testing.

Charilaou, who is known to authorities, had previously worked as a security guard but was currently involved in real estate. He was recently handed a suspended sentence for a drugs charge.

Officers were on Sunday morning combing the fields around Charilaou’s home to find any evidence and possibly bullet cases.

Police said they were examining CCTV footage from both the victim’s home and other sources in the area and have taken several statements, including from the victim’s wife who said she thought the suspect or suspects had got away on foot as no car was heard in the somewhat remote area the house is located in.

Charilaou is also believed to have been shot from a distance.