A FORMER policeman was remanded in custody for eight days by the Paphos district court yesterday after being considered the prime suspect in a brutal murder which took place in Tala village yesterday morning.
The suspect, a 64-year-old Greek Cypriot is accused of shooting Ivan Granchev, a 34-year-old Bulgarian on the doorstep of the victim’s home in the Paphos district village.
Paphos police spokesman, Nicos Tsappis, told the Cyprus Mail yesterday: “The Bulgarian national died immediately from a gunshot wound to the chest. His fiancée, a 36 year old Cypriot woman, was previously married to the suspect’s son.”
Police believe the pair had personal differences, which resulted in the fatal shooting at 7.30am yesterday. It is thought that the suspect blamed Granchev for his son’s failed marriage.
The victim’s fiancée called police as the alleged perpetrator fled the murder scene.
According to Tsappis, there were three witnesses to the shooting, all of whom were in the victims house at the time the crime was committed.
Following information received, the suspect was found by police about one and a half hours after the incident, hiding in a rural area. Police uncovered a gun in the suspect’s car.
“We have found a shotgun in the suspect’s car and it has been sent away for examination to determine whether or not it is the murder weapon,” said Tsappis.
The incident, which has shocked residents of the usually peaceful village, took place in an area of Tala, close to Mavrokolympos dam.
Many residents of the area rushed to the scene after hearing the gunshots.
The village leader of Tala, Areti Pieridou said: “This is a very sad situation and it’s not a case that should involve killing someone.”
The victim’s fiancée divorced the suspect’s son around five years ago. They have three children together. Her own father died just two months ago. The victim and his Cypriot girlfriend were well liked and respected in the village.
“They are hard working and trying to do their best,” said a Tala resident, “the victim was engaged to marry his Cypriot girlfriend who works at a supermarket in Paphos and they are quiet and decent people.”
“I know both of these families as they are from Tala, and now it’s a bad situation for both of them,” added Pieridou.
Tsappis said that the suspect is denying any involvement with the case.
Yesterday’s killing was the second murder since last Saturday when a 22-year-old was found shot dead in his car. On the same day someone threw a hand grenade at the home of former police spokesman Michalis Katsounoutos in Limassol. No one was hurt.
In addition only three days ago an attempted murder took place at a Nicosia petrol station. In that instance the victim was also shot and remains in hospital.
Justice Minister Loucas said this week a six-year plan with 221 measures to combat rising crime had been drawn up.
