Paphos, Cyprus. A 58-year-old man on Friday pleaded not guilty before the Paphos criminal court to a charge of premeditated murder over the death of 26-year-old Alexandros Antoniou. The court ordered that he remain in custody pending trial, which is set to begin on October 13.
Court appearance
Responding to the charges read by state lawyer Andreas Hadjikyrou, the accused denied the allegation that he planned the killing of Antoniou but admitted to carrying a knife outside his property on the night of the murder. Prosecutors allege the weapon was used to inflict the fatal injury.
Defence position
Defence lawyer Elias Stefanou told the court that the facts surrounding the incident were not disputed but rejected the prosecution’s claim of premeditation. He said the defence position is that the case concerns homicide rather than premeditated murder.
Custody and evidence
The prosecution requested that the accused remain in custody pending trial, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of non-appearance. The court accepted the request.
Prosecutors have already submitted their evidence, including CCTV footage said to capture the incident and a series of expert reports expected to be presented during the hearing.
Incident in Konia
The case stems from the fatal stabbing of Antoniou outside a kiosk in the Paphos district village of Konia last November. According to evidence previously presented before the court, CCTV footage shows Antoniou parked outside the kiosk shortly before 6.20pm while speaking on the telephone.
A man is then seen approaching the driver’s side of the vehicle, opening the door and confronting him.
