Fresh details in Strovolos double murder

The Strovolos double murder trial is set to continue on Wednesday, following documentary evidence that stirred up emotions in the courtroom last week and a new crime scene investigation requested by the defence.

Last Friday, members of the audience during criminal proceedings in the double murder case were faced with grisly evidentiary exhibits shown in court, such as bloody sheets and clothes belonging to the murdered victims.

A new name was also heard for the first time in court, when a CID Nicosia officer presented a white sports hat belonging to a foreign national, whose full name was identified in court documents according to Sigmalive.

Media outlets covering the trial did not immediately know about the identity of A.S., but he was later described as an individual around 30 who let one of the suspects borrow his hat, which he got back a few days after the murders. It was not clear whether prosecutors viewed A.S. as a person of interest in the case.

Other exhibits included a Samurai sword, a pocket knife, a baseball bat, and a knife pouch.

Members of the audience, especially friends and relatives of the victims, 60-year-old Yiorgos Hadjigeorgiou and his 59-year-old wife Dina Sergiou who were found savagely stabbed to death, were often heard crying during the proceeding.

The main suspect, 33-year-old Loizos Tzionis, was described by reporters in the courtroom as very calm and unperturbed. He maintains his innocence while he told police initially that he had been framed.

Tzionis’ 21-year-old girlfriend Sara Siams, and two other co-defendants, his 23-year-old half brother Lefteris Solomou and 22-year-old Marios Hadjixenofondos, have all pleaded not guilty from the beginning to all charges including murder and burglary.

The main suspect also later pleaded not guilty to all charges, while prosecutors shocked the courtroom when one of the eight charges, conspiracy to commit murder, was withdrawn for all suspects.

Tzionis' defence attorney had requested to examine the crime scene, a request which was granted last Friday. It was understood that a crime scene investigation would take place before Wednesday’s resumption of trial.