Until the commencement of the trial before the Criminal Court for the murder of 55-year-old Thanasis Kalogeropoulos, which occurred on the morning of October 30, 2023, in a beachfront restaurant parking lot in Limassol, the three accused, aged 44, 22, and 21, respectively, will remain defendants.
The lawyers of the three accused filed an appeal against the first-instance decision of the Limassol Court regarding the detention of their clients, requesting their release on bail.
They argued that there is no testimony linking their clients to the alleged offenses, and consequently, there is no risk of flight.
They also claimed that the Limassol Court did not properly evaluate the testimony presented before it, emphasizing that the three accused have ties to the Republic of Cyprus.
It is noted that the lawyer of the 41-year-old accused did not object to his client’s detention.
In today’s decision, the appellate court rejected the appeal of the lawyers of the accused, confirming the decision of the first-instance Limassol Court.
It is recalled that the Limassol Court, when referring the accused to the Criminal Court and during the request for their detention, relied on the risk of flight, emphasizing that the public interest in the administration of justice requires the detention of all four.
Furthermore, the seriousness of the offenses they face and the potential penalties that may be imposed on them were taken into account, stating that the possibility of their escape from the territories of the Republic of Cyprus is beyond visible.
It should be noted that the request of the accused is still pending in the Court of Appeals for the trial to be held in a Criminal Court of another district and not in Limassol, due to the tension and provocations recorded during the process of personal arrests.
It is reminded that the commencement of the trial is scheduled for January 23 before the Permanent Criminal Court.
