The two complainants in a Limassol attempted murder case appeared before court today and declared under oath that they have no complaint against the defendant — the man they had originally accused of involvement in a shooting outside a coastal hotel last September in which one of them was shot in the abdomen.
The case had its roots in an alleged extortion attempt. In their original police statements, the 42-year-old Ukrainian victim and his associate said they had been threatened and demanded to pay half a million euros for protection, which was the reason for the meeting at the hotel that ended in the shooting.
At the start of today’s proceedings, the prosecution added a new charge of accessory after the fact, on the basis that the 39-year-old defendant allegedly helped a 44-year-old Russian suspect known as “Dato” flee after the incident. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
The two complainants then took the witness box and declared under oath that they have no complaint against the defendant. They also submitted written statements to the Law Office requesting the withdrawal of their complaint. Following those declarations, the prosecution requested the suspension of the original charges the defendant had been facing: attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, demanding money with threats with intent to steal and threats. The court granted the request.
The defendant will now face trial on the sole remaining charge of accessory after the fact. The case has been set for hearing in early June.
The defendant, who had been remanded in custody until today, was released on the following conditions: a financial guarantee of €150,000 with a creditworthy guarantor, twice-weekly reporting to a police station, surrender of travel documents, inclusion on the exit prohibition list and a ban from crossing checkpoints.
The fugitive known as “Dato” remains at large. European and international arrest warrants have been issued for his apprehension and he is considered extremely dangerous.
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