Police fail to find Kilani murder weapon

A MASSIVE police search to find the Kilani murder weapon has so far been frustrated, a Limassol court heard yesterday.

On October 8, grandfather Matheos Christofi, 66, was brutally murdered in broad daylight with what the police believe was a meat-cleaver.

But so far a continual police operation has not been able to discover the weapon, which could prove vital to the investigation.

The victim’s neighbour, 60-year-old Michalis Panis – who is also godfather to his son – is being held in custody in connection with the murder.

Police yesterday secured a further eight-day remand for Panis when CID officer Andreas Karyolaimos told the court he was still waiting for forensic results and the murder weapon to turn up.

Important leads are expected to materialise after forensic studies are completed on objects found at the scene of the crime.

Police are hoping that a cap, face towel and two watches found by the dead man’s body will help tie up loose ends.

Karyolaimos told the court that the face towel now being examined was similar to three other towels found at the home of Panis.

A search of the suspect’s Kilani home also uncovered a pistol and four hand grenades.

Christakis Seittanis, 39, from Limassol was remanded for four days yesterday under suspicion of supplying Panis with the weapons.

Police said that fingerprints on one hand grenade matched those of Seittanis.

It is believed the hand grenades were stolen in 1976 when Seittanis was serving in the National Guard with the murder suspect’s son – Efstathios.

Efstathios Panis, 39, was arrested yesterday in connection with the stolen weapons and is expected to appear in a Limassol court today for a remand order.

Panis is understood not to have been on speaking terms with the victim, but denies any involvement in the killing.

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