The Court of Appeal overturned on Thursday the Limassol District Court’s decision to hold a 51-year-old suspect in custody in connection with the murder of Stavros Demosthenous. The man, a Greek national of Georgian origin from Paphos, has been released under conditions and is expected to appear before the Limassol Criminal Court on 29 January, when the trial is scheduled to begin.
He had been held at the Central Prisons since 17 November
His lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, had opposed the renewal of his remand throughout the preliminary stages. According to information examined by the Court, the Appeal Bench concluded that there was no risk of absconding. The decision appears to have been influenced by the defendant’s conduct prior to being remanded. He had presented himself voluntarily to receive the charge sheet and returned twice more of his own accord, even over a weekend, before the original order was issued.
The 51-year-old faces charges after his DNA was reportedly found on jerrycans containing flammable liquid. These were discovered in a stolen vehicle three days before the killing of Demosthenous.