Murder trial delayed, to begin on Wednesday

The trial into the premeditated murder of 60-year-old Leontios Poyiadjis will start before Paphos criminal court on Wednesday as one of the suspects was unable to attend the trial on Tuesday.

The case, which was registered before the court on Tuesday morning, concerns the murder of Poyiadjis, who was found dead in the back seat of a burned car in the Dasoudi area of Anarita on July 15, 2021.

For the case, three men aged 41, 34, and 27 were arrested. They face charges related to conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated murder, illegal possession and transport of a category B firearm, illegal possession and transport of explosives and car arson.

Paphos police spokesman and CID chief Michalis Nicolaou said the case was adjourned for a hearing on Wednesday because the youngest suspect, who is in the central prison for another crime, could not attend the court on Tuesday.

The man was arrested for Poyiadjis’ murder last week.

Meanwhile, the 41-year-old suspect remains in Limassol hospital where he was taken after feeling unwell following his arrest last Tuesday in Limassol.

He will be represented by his lawyer, the police spokesman added.

Investigations started after authorities concluded the fire on the car where the body was found last year was set maliciously.

After that, a legal autopsy showed the man died from injuries to the abdomen caused by a firearm.