A 50-year-old man accused of murdering his brother-in-law last summer in Peyia has pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The admission came on Friday before the Paphos criminal court.

The suspect, who has been in custody since his arrest, has yet to respond to additional charges, including illegal possession and use of a firearm and explosives. His lawyer, Neophytos Christou, requested more time to review further witness material and CCTV footage. Prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou did not object, and the court scheduled the case to resume on March 4 at 10am.

The case dates back to July 3, 2024, when a family gathering in Peyia turned deadly. According to police, the suspect, the 43-year-old victim, and other relatives were dining together when an argument erupted. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, prompting others at the table to step in and separate the two men.

The suspect reportedly left the scene but returned shortly after, armed with a firearm. He is accused of fatally shooting his brother-in-law before fleeing. Authorities arrested him in the early hours of July 4.

While he has now admitted to murder, he has yet to enter a plea on the firearm-related charges. The court’s decision to grant additional time means the full extent of the case will unfold in the coming weeks.