Escaped convict and accomplice set for trial in October

Convicted murderer Doros Theofanous and the 26-year-old who appears to have helped him escape on September 26 while visiting his home in Choletria, Paphos, under the noses of his police escort, will be taken before the criminal court in Paphos on October 22.

Theofanous and the 26-year-old, who had become friends when the latter was serving a sentence in the central prisons, were taken before the Paphos district court on Friday under heavy security measures.

The court decided to send them to a trial at the criminal court on October 22, at 9am.

The two are charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Theofanous is also charged with escaping from legal custody, while the 26-year-old is facing charges of assisting the escape of a person in legal custody and disobedience to lawful orders.

The prosecution requested that the two remain in custody until October 22.

Theofanou’s lawyer did not object, however the lawyer of the 26-year-old said his client was innocent until proven guilty and should be released.

The court will decide on October 7 at 10am whether the 26-year-old should remain in custody.

Theofanous, a hairdresser, was convicted in 2011 for the double murder of his partner Yulia Oporok, who was four months pregnant, and her three-year-old child. He received 24- and 35-year consecutive sentences for the crimes.