A 57-year-old man has been remanded in custody for eight days by the Nicosia District Court, in connection with a case of premeditated murder following a fatal incident in Astromeritis.
The victim, 66-year-old Andreas Michaelides, died after a confrontation outside a local café on Saturday evening.
According to police, the two men engaged in a verbal altercation around 7:15 p.m. at the café. Witnesses report that the 57-year-old suspect allegedly struck Michaelides on the head with his hands.
After the incident, Michaelides visited the Peristerona Police Station, where he reported the assault and was provided with a referral form for medical examination. However, while being transported to a private hospital by a relative, he lost consciousness. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors confirmed his death.
Additional witness testimony revealed that the altercation began after the suspect shouted something at Michaelides as he passed by the café.
“The victim had visited his sick mother and was heading home. The suspect, who was sitting outside watching football, shouted at him. The victim initially left, but later turned back, got out of his car, and they fought,” the café owner recounted.
The two men reportedly exchanged blows, with the suspect punching the victim in the head.
“They were shouting and fighting. Later, the victim left and sat nearby before going to the police station,” the witness added.
It was noted that Michaelides had pre-existing heart conditions, which may have contributed to the severity of his collapse following the physical altercation.
Early reports suggest that the two men may have had professional disagreements, as both worked as bus drivers.
Police and forensic teams, including Head of the Forensic Service Angeliki Papetta and pathologist Orthodoxos Orthodoxou, conducted an on-site investigation.
The exact cause of death will be determined through a post-mortem examination.
The suspect was arrested early Sunday morning under a court warrant.
The case is being investigated by the Morphou CID (TΑΕ Μόρφου).
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