Third arrest in murder case of 36-year-old

A third man arrested in the murder case of Syrian national Μohammad Ashkarali who was attacked at his home in Paphos and died days later in hospital, was remanded for six days on Friday.

Police announced that the latest arrest is that of a 32-year-old man who had a court warrant issued against him and has since been detained.

The two other suspects in the case – aged 21 and 27 – were arrested in early October and will remain in custody until November 22, as ordered by the court.

Ashkarali, a 36-year-old Syrian national, died from his injuries while intubated at the critical care unit of Nicosia general hospital on October 5.

He had undergone surgery on his skull and a blood vessel in his brain after the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home on September 27.

Detectives previously said they are investigating a case of premeditated murder instead of attempted murder, since it appears that a group of people broke into the victim’s apartment in the centre of Paphos at 1.30am on September 27. The victim was taken to Paphos hospital and later transferred to Nicosia general.

Police had earlier stated that two suspects in the case are also from Syria.

The perpetrators of the attack were five in total and wore masks, according to police statements.

Shortly before losing consciousness, the victim named the 27-year-old suspect as the person behind the attack. However, the 27-year-old, according to police, was allegedly seen at a post office in Limassol at the time and sought to have his presence recorded by the shop’s CCTV.