Killer jailed for life

THE Limassol Assizes Court yesterday sentenced a 43-year-old man to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of an elderly guard at the Lanitis estate in Fassouri.

Savvas Vasiliou, 63, was found murdered on July 7, last year, on the steps leading to his home on the Fassouri estate.

He had been shot twice – in the head and back – with a hunting shotgun.

Police unleashed a manhunt for Anikitos Panayi, alias Kafkaris, who had been seen by the victim’s wife standing over his body holding a shotgun.

Kafkaris had fled the scene and was sought for four days before he was discovered in a carefully camouflaged hideout in the Asomatos forest.

The court heard that traces of blood matching that of the victim had been lifted from the shotgun, which was found in Kafkaris’ hideout.

Police said they found the victim’s DNA on the suspect’s shoes, and that parts of a weapon found at the scene were matched to Kafakaris’ shotgun.

The victim’s wallet and watch were also found at the murderer’s hideout.

The court decided that the overwhelming evidence proved that the murder had been premeditated; the absence of any evidence to suggest a struggle or attempt by the victim to defend himself coupled with the close-range shot in the back indicated planning and composure on behalf of the shooter, the court said.

The victim’s wife, Katerina, said she felt vindicated by the court decision.