The trial in the murder case of Angelos Perikleous continued with the testimony of a 37-year-old inmate from the Central Prisons.
The prosecution witness was in custody at the same time as 26-year-old Joshua Epiphaniou (known as the Hacker) in the holding cells of the Limassol Police Directorate and claimed that Epiphaniou confessed to killing Angelos Perikleous.
By court order, the 37-year-old was deemed a vulnerable witness requiring assistance and was allowed to testify in the absence of the Hacker. This arrangement was requested by the prosecution, which argued that the witness expressed fears for his own safety and that of his family as he is currently detained in the Central Prisons. The court agreed, stating: “It is reasonable for someone testifying in such a case to feel fear. He is in custody and fears for himself and his family. Fear could affect the quality of his testimony. We conclude that he is a witness requiring assistance.”
The Hacker monitored the proceedings from another room via video link. The 37-year-old witness then entered the courtroom to give his testimony. During the examination by the prosecution, the witness stated that he was in prison for possession of one gram of methamphetamine. He noted that he wanted to amend his earlier statement to police, where he had said, “I have nothing else to tell you,” claiming he knew more but initially did not want to get involved further.
Witness testimony
The witness stated:
“I was a detainee at the Limassol Police Directorate. Joshua was with me. He told me to tell you nonsense to make you laugh. I want to help the case and find Angelos.”
Describing their time together in detention, he said:
“We constantly watched the news about Angelos’ disappearance—about the strict measures, the drones being deployed to find him. The Hacker would laugh loudly when he saw it and shout, ‘I’m a gangster.’ He would sing a song by Snik, ‘I have a gun in the car, surrounded by cops.’ He said various things, like how he killed him and what he did.”
The witness claimed that Epiphaniou detailed how he killed Perikleous:
“They went to a remote area. He killed him, emptied the gun on him, but thought he was still alive. Eventually, he died. He told me that when he shot him, his soul left his body. Angelos asked him before he was killed, ‘Did you bring us here to kill us?’ He told me he killed him for €100,000 and a watch. His motive, he said, was, ‘I wouldn’t have the guts to walk in society if he had taken my money.'”
When asked if he knew Angelos Perikleous, the witness replied:
“Yes, we didn’t have good relations; there were complications. We gave him €300 to pay a lawyer, and he took the money.”
Cross-examination by defense wawyer Alexandros Klirides
Klirides: For some reason, you agreed to lie to the police about someone named L. and A.’s relationship?
Witness: I didn’t lie. When I went to the police, I told the truth because I didn’t want to get involved.
Klirides: On that day, you didn’t give this testimony. You were later called back to provide it in writing. You said you told the truth that day, but now you’re saying you didn’t.
Witness: I simply wasn’t involved and didn’t know.
Klirides: You said you didn’t want to get involved, but now you’re in court saying things we’re hearing for the first time.
Witness: I told the truth. I don’t know.
Klirides: Since this was your testimony, how did the prosecution know to call you to testify about things not mentioned in your statement?
Witness: I don’t know.
Klirides: The police have your details. Do you have contact with them?
Witness: I have no contact with the police.
Klirides: Why didn’t you mention these things earlier?
Witness: I was told to go to court now. When I went to prison, they told me about this case.
Klirides: You described your time in detention. How many detainees were at the Limassol Police Directorate?
Witness: About 20.
Klirides: Where were you when the Hacker told you all this?
Witness: In the detention area, in the open space.
Klirides: He was laughing and saying this out loud, and you were the only one who heard?
Witness: I wasn’t the only one, but I don’t remember who else was there. I just told the truth in court.
Klirides: Did you tell this to anyone else?
Witness: Only today in court.
Klirides: Out of 20 detainees, why did he choose you to lie to the police?
Witness: I don’t know.
Klirides: You had issues with the missing person?
Witness: Yes.
Klirides: Why shouldn’t we assume this is all your imagination?
Witness: I’d never do that. I’ve never been a witness before. I just wanted Angelos’ mother to bury him.
Klirides: If that was your concern, why didn’t you tell the police?
Witness: Mr. Kostas called me and said it would be helpful to give this testimony.
Klirides: What time did the Hacker say all this?
Witness: I don’t remember—afternoon, maybe.
Klirides: How many times did you meet with the prosecution lawyers?
Witness: Four times. The first time, they told me about the case. The second time, I wasn’t well. The third time, we talked about the case again. The fourth time, they came to the detention center to check if I was okay. During these meetings, we discussed the changes I would make to my statement.
Klirides: Did they tell you what to do in court today?
Prosecutor: Please clarify the question.
Klirides: Did they show you your statement and ask you to amend line 9?
Witness: They said it would be better to correct that point.
Klirides: I suggest that Joshua never said any of this to you.
Witness: That’s your opinion.
Klirides: I suggest you are testifying because you have other cases against you and were promised leniency if you cooperated.
Witness: I’m in prison for one gram. I have no pending cases. My wife and I resolved our issues. I’m a father of five.
Klirides: But you’re already in prison?
Witness: For one gram of methamphetamine.
The witness’s testimony and cross-examination concluded. The next hearing, focusing on evidence presentation, is scheduled for December 5.
Also read: Perikleous murder: “He admitted that he killed him… he was singing”
