Details of an alleged plan to kill a 55-year-old businessman and former long-term prisoner in Limassol were heard before Nicosia District Court, where four people arrested in connection with the case appeared as police applied for remand orders. According to evidence presented in court, the plan allegedly involved placing a bomb on the man’s vehicle and detonating it while the car was moving.
Remand application before Nicosia District Court
According to journalist Giorgos Chrysanthou, reporting on Alpha’s “Alpha Enimerosi” programme, a 48-year-old man is listed as the first suspect in the police charge sheet. He is known to the authorities and is not currently serving any prison sentence.
One of the suspects is not represented by a lawyer.
Anonymous call to Nicosia CID
According to the evidence presented in court, on 13 September an unknown person telephoned an officer of the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and said that the murder of a 55-year-old businessman in Limassol was being planned.
Police officers visited the businessman at his home and informed him of the information they had received. Subsequent inquiries indicated that the plan allegedly involved placing a bomb on his vehicle and detonating it while in motion, possibly within the following hours.
Statements were then taken and evidence was assessed, with the investigation leading to the people allegedly involved in the case.
Phone exchange between the target and the main suspect
A telephone conversation that the 55-year-old businessman allegedly had with the 48-year-old first suspect was among the details heard in court.
According to the businessman’s testimony and what was stated in court, he contacted the 48-year-old and asked him directly whether he was planning to kill him.
According to the allegations included in the testimony, the 48-year-old replied that he had not one but two bombs, each weighing 409 grams, and that they were intended for two other people in Limassol, not for him.
Alleged role of the 70-year-old suspect
The court also heard about the alleged role of a 70-year-old suspect, who reportedly had some connection with the 55-year-old businessman. His exact involvement in the planned crime is still being examined.
According to the evidence presented, when word began to spread among nightlife and business circles that a murder might be planned, the 70-year-old allegedly contacted the 48-year-old and asked him to call the plan off.
The court heard that the two men knew each other from their time at the Central Prisons and were on good terms.
Police further allege that the 70-year-old interfered with the explosive device, removing the detonator to prevent the plan from being carried out.
Two suspects believed to be abroad
Police are also searching for two more people who are believed to be abroad. If it is confirmed that they have left Cyprus, proceedings are expected to begin for international arrest warrants to be issued through Interpol and Europol.
