The 45-year-old alleged perpetrator of the murder of 52-year-old Charalambos Constantinides from Paralimni, who was shot in the head at a car repair shop in Ormideia, surrendered to the British Bases Authorities around 7 pm on Wednesday.
The Bases Authorities confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect will remain in custody. The 45-year-old, who has marks on his body, is expected to appear before the Bases Court today for a detention warrant to be issued.
The murder took place yesterday at 11 pm after an argument between the victim and the suspect, who then fled the scene. By early afternoon, the suspect’s details were made public as he was wanted.
The victim and the suspect had a meeting at the car repair shop, located in a rural area on the Ormideia-Xylophagou road.
The perpetrator, at some point, grabbed a hunting rifle and fired twice towards the 52-year-old. One of the shots hit him in the head, resulting in his death at the scene, inside the car repair shop’s garage.
It is noted that the testimony in the Police’s possession indicates that the victim owed the perpetrator an amount not exceeding €1,500.
After committing the murder, the perpetrator appears to have attempted to conceal the crime and clean up the scene.
Information suggests that evidence was found indicating that he tried to use a water hose to wash away blood and other evidence.
However, a bystander notified the Police when he heard the gunshots. Upon the arrival of the patrol cars, the armed suspect fled the scene.
According to philenews information, the suspect confessed to fleeing the area in a car belonging to the car repair shop.
The British Bases Police are searching for answers in the transactions between the 45-year-old alleged perpetrator and the 52-year-old victim to shed light on what led to the murder.
Under the microscope is a testimony indicating that the two men had financial differences in the past, which seems to have disrupted their previously friendly relationship.
Charalambos Constantinides, 52, from Paralimni, who was killed, had even helped the 45-year-old at the car repair shop, which previously belonged to a person convicted of attempted murder.
It is noted that both men were known to police for other cases, but not for organised crime, police sources mention.
At this stage, all scenarios remain open, and the effort is focused on investigations and securing testimonies to determine what triggered the financial dispute.
The alleged perpetrator is expected to be interrogated and provide answers as to what exactly happened at the car repair shop.
The area remained cordoned off until yesterday evening, with only farmers being allowed access to their fields.
The British Bases Police deployed special teams with sniffer dogs from Dhekelia and Akrotiri and also sought the assistance of the Cypriot Police.
Crime scene investigators were called to the scene, and the Cypriot Police Chief also attended.
An autopsy was performed yesterday evening by a Greek coroner, and the body was then transferred to Akrotiri for the statutory autopsy.
