Trial date set for suspects in Limassol murder

THE TRIAL against five suspects believed to be involved in the murder of a former cabaret owner in Limassol last year begins on July 28, Limassol court ruled yesterday.

The five suspects, Soteris Athinis, Panayiotis Kondos, Andreas Alexandrou, Lazaros Lazarou, and the 44-year-old Iraqi-born Greek national Azad Berwari who was extradited to Cyprus from Greece last week face a number of charges in connection with the murder of 67-year-old Michalis Kakathymis from Limassol last July.

Lazarou faces four charges including possession and transportation of the murder weapon and explosive devices. The other four suspects will have to answer to ten charges including conspiracy to commit murder and the possession of weapons and explosive devices.

Kakathymis, an ex-cabaret boss, was the victim of a high profile mafia style execution, when he was gunned down in a Limassol cafe. Police believe his killing was masterminded from inside the Nicosia prison by his ex-partner and convict Athinis. Reports later suggested that Attorney-general Petros Clerides was also on the hit-list allegedly compiled by Athinis.

Police say they have testimony which places Berwari with the assassin during the murder. The 34-year-old Kondos, who allegedly confessed to playing an active role in the murder, was removed from the witness protection programme last April after doing an about turn and withdrawing his original statements.

Athinis, Kondos and Berwari will remain in custody during the trial while Alexandrou and Lazarou, relatives of Athinis, were released on bail and under certain conditions.

Meanwhile, police continue their search for the alleged shooter, 33-year-old Greek Pontian Constantinos Michaelides, who remains at large.

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