THE MAN arrested on suspicion of double homicide in Paphos was remanded in custody for eight days by Paphos District Court on Sunday in a closed-door session.
Draconian police measures were taken to escort Charalambos Afxentiou, 56, to court, as members of the victims’ family gathered outside, waiting for the suspect to appear.
Andreas Charalambous Skyllouriotis, 60, and his 38-year-old son Charalambos were shot at point blank range outside their home at Mouttalos in Paphos around 11.20am on Saturday. The killing took place in front of Charalambos’ 11-year-old son.
Police say the father and son were shot by their neighbour in a parking space row.
Charalambos would reportedly park his car in a spot that Afxentiou did not approve of. In an effort to prevent him from doing so, Afxentiou allegedly placed a pile of stones on the parking space. When the son moved the stones to park his car, Afxentiou allegedly took out his hunting rifle, crossed the street and shot both father and son. Andreas Skyllouriotis’ brother-in-law was also slightly injured in the incident and taken to Paphos General Hospital for treatment.
Afxentiou is understood to have confessed to the crime in court.
State pathologist Eleni Antoniou said yesterday the son had been shot first, once in the chest, while the father took three shots. Both died instantly.
Friends and relatives of the victims were joined at the funeral yesterday by shocked and angry Mouttalos residents. Labour Minister Andreas Moushiouttas also expressed his condolences and the government’s readiness to help the family overcome this tragic event.
According to reports, police have asked Interpol to investigate the suspect’s movements while he was in London, where he spent some time in the past.
Charalambos Skyllouriotis leaves behind a wife and six young children.
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