Nine cleared of manslaughter charges

Nine people were acquitted of manslaughter charges for the murder of 20-year-old Jamal Alhaji on Tuesday, who had been fatally stabbed at a Chlorakas beach in 2020.

The decision at Paphos criminal court was unanimous by the three-panel judges who said manslaughter could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Nonetheless, four of the defendants were found guilty of other charges including kidnapping with intent of causing serious body harm, destroying evidence, interference in court proceedings and conspiracy.

Two of the defendants had been acquitted earlier on in the trial due to mental health reasons and the fact that an arrest warrant had not been executed.

Another two defendants were acquitted of all charges due to witness testimony saying they were not physically present at the time of the murder.

A total of 452 pieces of evidence were submitted to court as part of the hearing, with 12 witnesses being called in for the state prosecution.

Lawyers for the defendants asked for more time to plea mitigating circumstances.

The next hearing is slated for July 31 at 9:30am. Defendants will remain in custody until then.

The incident unfolded on April 10, 2020 at Vrexi beach in Chlorakas.

Two other people have already been sentenced but they fled to the north. They were later captured and pleaded guilty.

Alhaji was found stabbed to death with the use of a blunt object after an argument.