Murder of Alexandros Antoniou in Konya: 58-year-old denies premeditation – remains in custody
The 58-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder at the Permanent Court of Criminal Justice in Paphos. The hearing was scheduled for 13 October 2026.
Defendant accused of Alexandros Antoniou's death denies premeditated murder
The 58-year-old defendant charged with the death of young Alexandros Antoniou in Konya, Paphos, denied on Friday the charge of premeditated murder before the Permanent Court of Criminal Justice, according to Philenews. He admitted, however, to the charge of carrying a knife.
The defendant was transferred shortly after 09:00 from the Central Prisons to the Court under strict security measures. The courtroom was packed with relatives, friends and members of the public following developments in the case.
The two charges and the defendant's stance
Senior Attorney of the Republic Andreas Hatzikyriakou, representing the Prosecution, called on the defendant to answer the two charges he faces: premeditated murder and carrying a knife.
The 58-year-old pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder against Alexandros Antoniou. He admitted, however, that he carried outside his home and courtyard an orange-coloured machete — the same object which, according to the Prosecution, was used to inflict the fatal blow.
The defence position
Defence counsel Ilias Stefanou clarified before the Court that the actual facts are not disputed, but his client does not accept the claim of premeditation.
"We do not dispute the facts before the Court of Criminal Justice, but there was no premeditation," Mr Stefanou said. The defence argues that the case concerns manslaughter and not premeditated murder.
Remand approved — trial in October 2026
The Prosecution again sought the extension of remand until the start of the hearing. Mr Hatzikyriakou cited the seriousness of the offences, stating that "human life is the highest good", while also highlighting the risk of the defendant's failure to appear before the Court.
The Court of Criminal Justice accepted the request and ordered the continuation of the remand of the 58-year-old. The hearing of the case was scheduled for 13 October 2026, at 09:30. The defence did not lodge an objection to the remand.
The prosecution's evidence
The Prosecution has already submitted all of the evidence it possesses. These include video footage recording the development of the incident, as well as expert reports, which are expected to be presented during the hearing.
The background to the case
The fatal injury to Alexandros Antoniou occurred on the afternoon of 19 November 2025 in the community of Konya, in Paphos district. The forensic examination showed that death was caused by a blow from a pointed and cutting instrument to the area of the carotid artery.
Genetic material found on the back of the driver's seat, where the victim was located, was identified by the Genetics Institute and attributed to the 58-year-old defendant.
Following the plea of not guilty to the main charge, the case now proceeds to a full hearing.
Source: Philenews