Trial to go forward after assaulted landlord dies

An elderly man who was viciously attacked at his upholstery workshop in Limassol two months ago has passed away, with police saying the trial of a suspect in custody will go forward next week.

According to local media, a 75-year-old upholsterer was attacked at his place of business on September 29, after a man went there and asked for him by name.

As soon as the shopkeeper identified himself, described by local media as a Greek Cypriot property landlord, the man thought to be one of his tenants started hitting him in the face, according to a complaint filed with police.

Local media said the landlord was being treated at a medical facility when he passed away on Thursday, while they cause of death was not immediately clear.

The suspect, described as 39-year-old Greek Cypriot male, was initially ordered in remanded custody on attempted murder charges, while police sources told Knews it would not be unusual for such charges to be upgraded to murder following the death of a victim.

No motive was said to be known in the attack but state-funded broadcaster RIK had speculated at the time that the suspect had an issue with rent.

Additional unconfirmed reports said the suspect had previous run-ins with law enforcement while he had been admitted to Athalassa mental hospital in the past.

A preliminary hearing in a criminal court at the Limassol courthouse has been scheduled for December 10.