Remand Order Issued in High-Profile Attempted Murder Case
In a significant development in the case of the attempted murder that shocked Lakatamia last month, the Nicosia district court has taken decisive action against the suspects involved. Judge Niovi Petridou, presiding over a marathon court session, has issued a remand order for six out of nine individuals arrested in connection with the crime.
The victim, Demetris Andronikos, was targeted in a brazen daylight attack on April 23. Suffering neck wounds after being shot from a motorbike, Andronikos remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The police, represented by spokesman Christos Andreou, have been painstakingly piecing together the events leading to the attempted murder.
During the extensive court proceedings, which stretched from morning into the early hours of the following day, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) laid out their findings and argued for the necessity of the remand order. The defense for the suspects, who hail from diverse nationalities including one Greek Cypriot, was given the opportunity to contest the request.
One individual among the suspects is already serving time for a separate attempted murder conviction. This 43-year-old man was sentenced in 2021 for an attack that took place in Nicosia in 2018. Additionally, a Romanian national initially arrested was released after denying any connection to the alleged shooter.
Details emerging from the investigation suggest a tangled web of criminal activity and personal vendettas. The CID’s evidence points to a 45-year-old man, believed to have recently assumed control of a Nicosia gang, as being at the heart of the conflict. This individual is accused of orchestrating the hit on Andronikos and rewarding the shooter with a substantial sum of money.
The police have described the case as complex, with ongoing tests on “serious” evidence and further details on motives expected upon completion of their investigation. The weapon used in the attempted murder remains unaccounted for, though a burned motorbike found in Aglantzia is under scrutiny for potential links to the crime.
The judge’s decision, delivered after midnight, was influenced by the credible testimony presented by a police witness. The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the full extent of this criminal network and bring all involved to justice.
