Revealing details about the plot to murder the 55-year-old former convict in Limassol were presented before the Nicosia District Court, where the four individuals arrested in connection with the case appeared, with the police requesting that detention orders be issued against them.
According to reporter Giorgos Chrysanthou on the “Alpha News” program, the 48-year-old is listed as the primary suspect in the police indictment. He is known to the authorities and is not currently serving any prison sentence. One of the suspects is not represented by a lawyer.
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At the same time, the authorities are still searching for two other individuals, who are believed to be abroad. If it is confirmed that they have fled Cyprus, procedures are expected to be initiated to issue relevant international arrest warrants through Interpol and Europol.
SEE ALSO: Revelations about the plot to kill a convicted felon: A relative of a victim of the 2016 murder is among those arrested
The anonymous phone call and the warning to the businessman
According to evidence presented in court, on September 13, a call was received from an unknown person to a Nicosia CID officer, providing information that a plot was underway to murder a 55-year-old businessman in Limassol.
Police officers visited the businessman at his home and informed him of the information they had received. Subsequent investigations revealed that the plan allegedly involved planting a bomb in his vehicle and detonating it while it was in motion, possibly within the next few hours.
SEE ALSO: Assassination plot targeting a former convict unravels; 32-year-old in police custody
This was followed by the taking of statements and the evaluation of evidence, with the investigations leading to the individuals allegedly involved in the case.
The phone call with the 48-year-old and the two bombs
Of particular interest is the phone call that the 55-year-old businessman himself allegedly had with the first suspect, the 48-year-old.
According to the businessman’s testimony and what was reported in court, the 55-year-old contacted him and asked him directly whether he was indeed planning to murder him.
SEE ALSO: Former Convict Was the Target: This Is How They Planned the Deadly Ambush; Three Others Are Wanted
According to the allegations contained in the testimony, the 48-year-old allegedly replied that he had not one but two bombs, each weighing 409 grams, which were intended for two other people in Limassol and not for him.
The role of the 70-year-old and the removal of the detonator
A key aspect of the case is the alleged role of the 70-year-old suspect, who, according to testimony heard in court, had some connection to the 55-year-old businessman. The exact nature of his involvement in the planned criminal act is still under investigation.
According to the evidence presented, when word began to spread among figures in the nightlife and business circles that a murder might be in the works, the 70-year-old allegedly contacted the 48-year-old and asked him to call off the plan.
SEE ALSO: Authorities Foil Murder: Three Suspects Arrested for Allegedly Planning a Serious Criminal Act
As reported, the two men had known each other since their time at the Central Prison and maintained a good relationship.
In fact, according to police allegations, the 70-year-old is also alleged to have tampered with the explosive device by removing the detonator in order to prevent the assassination plot from being carried out.
*Featured image from the archives.
