Court hears shocking revelations in Strovolos double murder

There were shocking revelations in the Strovolos double murder on Thursday, with a main suspect in court saying there was an old plan to rob the home with help from the inside and he is willing to give names and talk about motives.

The 33-year-old suspect admitted some involvement in the case during his remand hearing at the Nicosia District Court, where he was ordered to remain in custody for eight days.

The Greek Cypriot suspect, who was arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with the case, says he is willing to say everything he knows about people and motives behind the horrific crime.

Another person, a possible partner in crime, is also wanted by police. Knews on Wednesday reported on sources citing a female accomplice, but the report remains unconfirmed.

The suspect, who had no attorney representing him in court, did not object to his remand for eight days. He is facing charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, theft, kidnapping, burglary, possession of burglary tools and instigating a crime.

The victims, 60-year-old teacher Yiorgos Hadjigeorgiou and his 59-year-old wife Dina Sergiou were found savagely stabbed to death in the bedroom of their own house one week ago in Strovolos, Nicosia.

Help from the inside

The suspect told the court that he was familiar with the residence of the murdered couple on Zalongou Street, adding that he had done some work there in the past.

At least two burglaries or attempted burglaries were reported in that residence in the past, according to media reports. But it was not clear whether this had any connection with another statement by the suspect saying the crime had been in the making for five years. 

According to a witness statement obtained by police, the suspect had told another individual that soon he would become rich and buy all the homes in the area. When the person asked back about it, the court heard, the suspect said the job was a 'sure thing' because he had help from the inside, leaving more unanswered questions in what is undoubtedly an unprecedented case for Cypriot society.

Police had found DNA inside the house matching the suspect’s genetic profile, while the judge also heard that two items found in the residence belonged to the suspect.

But it is still not clear whether police have hard evidence linking the suspect directly to the murders or if DNA was found on items unrelated to the crime.