The Limassol Criminal Court did not deliver its expected verdict on Wednesday in the trial over the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos, leaving the four defendants waiting until 23 October to learn whether they will be convicted or acquitted.
The hearing had been scheduled for the announcement of the court's judgment. However, the three-member court informed those present that it had not been possible to complete the drafting of its decision because of the size and complexity of the case and the volume of evidence presented during the proceedings.
As a result, the case was adjourned for 40 days.
Major police operation for brief hearing
The postponement surprised those involved in the case and raised questions about the handling of the court schedule, given the extensive security operation required for the hearing.
More than 20 members of the Limassol CID from various departments were deployed at the courthouse and around the courtroom.
At the same time, additional officers from the Rapid Response Unit (MMAD) and the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad were mobilised to transport and escort the four defendants from the Central Prisons to Limassol and to secure their movement to and from the courtroom.
The operation required extensive planning and the deployment of dozens of police officers who had to be reassigned from other duties.
Families, lawyers and media left waiting
Also present at court were defence lawyers, prosecutors, relatives of the victim and journalists covering the proceedings.
All ultimately left after hearing only the new date for the delivery of the verdict.
The 55-year-old Thanasis Kalogeropoulos was shot dead on 30 October 2023 in the car park of a seafront restaurant in Agios Tychonas.
Four men, now aged 43, 46, 24 and 23, are standing trial in connection with the case and remain in custody at the Central Prisons.
Questions over scheduling
The issue, observers noted, is not that the court requires additional time to complete its judgment.
The case is regarded as exceptionally serious and complex, and the trial involved lengthy proceedings and extensive evidence. Judges are expected to take whatever time is necessary to fully examine the material and prepare a properly reasoned decision.
The question raised by Wednesday's developments concerns scheduling.
Given that the judgment had not yet been completed, some questioned whether earlier notice could have been given, avoiding the need for the mobilisation of defendants, lawyers, family members, journalists and a large-scale police operation for a hearing that lasted only a few minutes.
