The 50-year-old man arrested as the main suspect in a murder case in Peyia involving the death of 43-year-old Stylianos Stylianou, his brother-in-law, was remanded for eight days by the Paphos district court on Thursday.
According to a police statement, officers received a report of gunfire at a house in Peyia, near Paphos, around 10.40pm on Wednesday night.
Police arrived at the scene and found the 43-year-old victim dead inside the residence.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Stylianou was at a social gathering in the house when an argument broke out. During the confrontation, the 50-year-old man allegedly shot him with a hunting rifle, causing fatal injuries.
The suspect left the scene but later headed to Paphos general hospital, where he was found with abrasions on his legs and several bruises.
He was subsequently arrested under a judicial warrant.
During an informal interview with the police, he reportedly admitted to committing the crime.
During the court hearing, additional details emerged about the family gathering at the suspect’s home. Tensions flared due to differing opinions among family members on personal matters.
The suspect reportedly told his relatives to leave his home. In the process, he allegedly pushed his mother-in-law, the victim’s mother, causing her to fall to the ground.
The police believe this moment was the catalyst that escalated the verbal dispute into a physical altercation, which ultimately led to the murder.
During the hearing, it also emerged that the 22-year-old son of the victim witnessed the entire incident. He is set to be summoned by investigators for further questioning.
Earlier on Thursday, Paphos police spokesperson Michalis Nicolaou also confirmed that it was a verbal argument that led to Stylianou’s murder.
“The incident began with a disagreement between the 50-year-old suspect and his wife, who is the victim’s sister. Stylianou intervened, resulting in a heated verbal exchange with the suspect,” Nicolaou said.
Police are now investigating multiple charges against the perpetrator, including premeditated murder, illegal possession, transport, and use of a firearm, illegal possession and transport of explosives, and discharging a firearm in a residential area.
Nicolaou also added that the scene was secured. Initial findings indicated that the incident took place at a family gathering at the suspect’s house, a Greek national who has lived in Cyprus for many years. The suspect resides there with his wife and their young children. The victim’s parents, who are also the suspect’s in-laws, live in a separate unit at the back of the property.
The post-mortem on Stylianou’s body will be performed at the Nicosia general hospital later on Thursday.
The Paphos criminal investigation department continues to investigate the incident.
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