Limassol arrest for attempted murder

By Elias Hazou

A 22-year-old man, suspected of attempting to murder an 18-year-old earlier this week in Limassol, appeared in court on Thursday and was remanded in custody for seven days.

Andreas Paschalides, wanted by police, had been apprehended late on Wednesday. He allegedly fired the shot that seriously injured the 18-year-old during an argument at the former’s home in Limassol a day earlier.

Police have also charged another man, Petros Patzioas, with being an accessory after the fact. Patzioas, also present at the incident, was picked up by police at the same location as Paschalides. Patzioas has since been released and is to later appear in court to answer the charges.

Paschalides has reportedly denied any involvement or knowledge of the incident. Police believe he has hidden the firearm used in the crime.

His 23-year-old brother had on Wednesday been remanded in custody for eight days, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a felony. The siblings’ mother, 45, was also remanded in custody for two days on suspicion of providing false information to the police and for being an accessory after the fact.

Police believe the mother helped her 22-year-old son make his getaway. On being questioned, she also claimed that Andreas had not been present at the incident.

The 18-year-old victim from Limassol is convalescing in hospital, his condition serious but not life-threatening.

The incident reportedly occurred when the 18-year-old along with other persons, followed by his father, went to the Paschalides home to ask why they had beaten up his father earlier on Tuesday evening outside his house. He had reportedly grabbed their younger brother by the neck earlier in the day.

The 55-year-old claimed that he had merely pinched the boy on the cheek while asking him how he was.

After a heated discussion, Andreas Paschalides reportedly attacked the older man with a crowbar and then went inside the house and came out with the rifle threatening to shoot unless everybody left.

Under circumstances investigated by the police, he allegedly then fired the gun, injuring the 18-year-old.

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