Main defendant in double murder sentenced to two life terms (Updated)

The main suspect in the double murder of a couple in their Nicosia home last year was sentenced on Wednesday to two life sentences after unexpectedly pleading guilty to all charges.

Loizos Tzionis, 33, had been charged with the premeditated murders of Giorgos Hadjigeorgiou, 60, and his wife Dina Sergiou, 59, in April 2018.

He had changed his plea a number of times but after court sentenced earlier in the day a second defendant, Tzionis’ half-brother, Lefteris Solomou, to six years in jail in connection with the crime, the 33-year-old said he wanted to plead guilty to all charges.

Premeditated murder carries an automatic life sentence.

Solomou faced two charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of assault instruments. He had recently changed his plea following a deal with prosecutors who took premeditated murder in his case off the table.

 

 

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