Two Greek Cypriot men were found guilty on Thursday by the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol in connection with the brutal double murder of two Greek Cypriot men outside a nightclub in Ypsonas, Limassol, on 29 June 2023.
In a unanimous ruling exceeding 200 pages, the court delivered its decision following months of trial proceedings. The first defendant was found guilty on two counts of premeditated murder, and was immediately sentenced to two consecutive life terms—the maximum and only penalty available under the Criminal Code for this offence.
The court accepted the prosecution’s position, represented by the Office of the Attorney-General, that the killings were committed while the accused was in a calm state of mind. Despite the fact that both defendants had reportedly been attacked earlier by unknown individuals, the first accused intentionally inflicted fatal stab wounds to the same part of each victim’s body using a knife he had brought with him in advance—demonstrating clear premeditation.
The second defendant was found guilty of manslaughter. Based on testimony presented by the prosecution, the court concluded that he had shared a common plan with the first defendant to attack the victims. Under the circumstances, it was deemed reasonably foreseeable that the victims might be fatally injured.
Sentencing for the second defendant will take place at a later date. Neither of the men admitted to the charges, and the case proceeded to a full trial beginning in February 2024. The prosecution called 37 witnesses, including forensic experts and eyewitnesses.
The case was handled by Senior State Advocate Andreas Aristidis and State Advocate Louiza Sigar on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Republic.
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