A 20-year-old man and his 42-year-old mother have been remanded in custody for eight days in connection with the death of a 51-year-old man in Peyia, Paphos, while a third person was also arrested as investigations continue.
According to evidence presented before the Paphos District Court on Tuesday, the 20-year-old allegedly admitted inflicting the fatal injury, claiming he stabbed the victim after witnessing him threaten his mother with a knife.
Events leading to the fatal injury
According to Paphos CID investigator Plastiras Simillides, the 20-year-old told police he heard shouting from the kitchen, where the victim was arguing with his mother because he believed she was involved with another man.
The suspect allegedly intervened and stabbed the 51-year-old in the side. According to the information presented in court, he then removed the knife, resulting in severe bleeding.
The 20-year-old further told investigators that he disposed of the knife used in the incident in the Akamas area. The weapon has not yet been found.
Claims of abuse and drug use
Particular reference was made during the court proceedings to allegations concerning cocaine use by the victim.
According to the 42-year-old suspect, her partner became aggressive after using cocaine, physically assaulted and mistreated her, and displayed intense jealousy. She also alleged that another argument had taken place two days earlier during which she had been assaulted.
These claims were presented as part of the police investigation and have not been established in court.
Police investigation and evidence
Following the injury, the 20-year-old allegedly asked a female friend to transport the victim to hospital.
According to investigators, the woman placed the injured man in a vehicle but panicked approximately 800 metres from the house and abandoned the car before returning home.
Police later discovered bloodstains at the residence, which the 42-year-old allegedly attempted to clean.
When questioned by investigators, she reportedly claimed that the victim was bleeding because of cocaine use and allegedly stated: “I am not the one who injured him but I cannot tell you.”
Police were informed at 6.14pm on Monday about a seriously injured man inside a vehicle on Vatoudion Street in Peyia.
The 51-year-old was transported by ambulance to Paphos General Hospital, where doctors found he had suffered a wound to the right side of his body between the chest and abdomen. Despite medical efforts, he later died from his injuries.
Court proceedings
The two suspects appeared before the Paphos District Court on Tuesday without legal representation and did not object to the police request for their detention.
According to the investigator, police have so far obtained five statements and still need to take approximately 50 further statements from individuals in the suspects' family, social and professional circles.
Third arrest and post-mortem findings
A 35-year-old permanent resident of Cyprus was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon under a court warrant. According to police, she is believed to be the person who transported the victim in the vehicle.
The post-mortem examination, conducted by forensic pathologist Nikola Charalambous, concluded that the 51-year-old died from haemorrhagic shock caused by massive internal bleeding following injury to the aorta caused by a sharp instrument.
Investigations by the Paphos CID are continuing.
