Limassol man admits to fatal arson attack

A LIMASSOL man yesterday pleaded guilty to setting fire to a shop in which another man died last year.

Marios Mouzouris, 26, pleaded guilty before the Limassol Assizes to setting fire to the ‘Home Sweet Home’ wedding gift shop in Zakaki on July 15 last year.

The shop was gutted and the following morning the body of Andreas Samaras, 23, was found in the debris. He had been burned alive.

According to reports from Limassol yesterday, Mouzouris admitted that he and Samaras started the fire on the instructions of shop owner Philos Demetriades, 32, who was also arrested in connection with the case.

Police believe the fire was an insurance scam.

A car was found near the scene which was traced back to a rental company belonging to Demetriades, police said. The keys were found at the entrance by fire investigators. Demetriades denies all charges against him.

Mouzouris will be sentenced on December 12 while the case against Demetriades will continue.