‘Murder plot seven’ will go to trial

SEVEN persons are to stand trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

The accused are: Giorgos Christodoulou a.k.a. Zavrandonas, Spyros Stylianou, Charalambos Demetriades, Aristos Stylianou, Andreas Christodoulou, and Bulgarian nationals Christo Oignatov and Petko Todorov.

Zavrandonas is a former convict who was jailed for manslaughter and Stylianou is a Drug Law Enforcement Unit officer

The accused are to remain in police custody until July 2, the opening day of the trial.

They face a total of 31 charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, illegal possession of firearms, explosives and drugs, as well was securing an income from illegal activities.

The alleged crimes are said to have been committed from 31 January to 15 April of this year.

An arrest warrant is still pending for 32-year-old Alexis Mavromichalis, also known as ‘Alexoui’, wanted for questioning in connection with the case.

The case involves conspiracy to commit murder ‘of one or more persons’, according to the police.

Media reports said yesterday that during the trial the prosecution will present 95 witnesses in court, including the six alleged targets of the murder plot.

One of the alleged targets is thought to be Nicosia betting shop owner Andreas Rodotheou as well his co-owners. The motive behind the alleged murder conspiracy is believed to be financial.

The police force has come under fire from a section of the press for allegedly bungling the investigation by failing to take from one of the accused a written statement in which he claimed that members of the force planned to assassinate high-ranking officers, including Deputy Deputy Chief Andreas Iatropoulos and Nicosia police superintendent Kypros Michaelides.

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