**Three Syrians Acquitted of Attempted Murder in Kornos Shooting**
In a significant ruling, the Larnaca criminal court acquitted three Syrian men of all charges related to the attempted murder of a compatriot in Kornos, which occurred in January 2025. The court's decision, delivered on Wednesday, was based on the prosecution's inability to prove the defendants' involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
The three men, aged 24, 25, and 27, faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, possession and transportation of a firearm, and possession and transportation of explosives. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The incident in question took place on January 9, 2025, when a 30-year-old victim was shot while seated in his vehicle in Kornos. The victim sustained injuries to his right hand and shoulder but managed to escape and sought medical treatment at a private clinic in Limassol.
According to the details presented in court, the victim had traveled from Paphos to Kornos to meet an unidentified individual who had contacted him via WhatsApp, expressing interest in purchasing his vehicle. The alleged attackers were reported to have been traveling in a black BMW, which was later found abandoned in Alethriko the following day.
During the trial, the judges carefully examined the circumstantial evidence put forth by the prosecution. However, they concluded that it did not sufficiently establish that any of the defendants were aware of the attackers' intentions or acted as accomplices. Notably, the court found that none of the three men had been in the attackers' vehicle at the time of the shooting.
The court's judgment emphasized the lack of conclusive evidence linking the defendants to the crime. In particular, the third defendant, who owned the BMW allegedly used in the attack, was scrutinized. The judges noted that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that he was present at the crime scene or in the vicinity of Kornos on the day of the incident. Furthermore, there was no evidence connecting him to the actual perpetrators, whose identities remain unknown.
Regarding the first defendant, the court acknowledged that his mobile phone was discovered at the crime scene and that DNA evidence linked him to the device. However, the judges determined that this evidence was insufficient to prove that he had knowledge of the attackers' plans or collaborated with them in any way.
The second defendant's case was also reviewed, with evidence placing him in Kornos around the time of the shooting. Despite certain circumstances suggesting a connection to the area and the attackers' vehicle, the judges found no reliable evidence to indicate that he had any prior knowledge of the perpetrators or provided them with assistance.
Ultimately, the court concluded that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof required to establish the defendants' participation in the attempted murder beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, all three men were acquitted and discharged from the charges against them.
The court's ruling leaves unresolved the identities of the individuals responsible for the shooting, raising questions about the ongoing investigation into the case. The acquittal of the three defendants highlights the challenges faced by the prosecution in securing convictions based on circumstantial evidence alone.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in criminal investigations and the necessity for concrete evidence to support allegations of serious offenses. The decision underscores the principle of "innocent until proven guilty," which remains a cornerstone of the judicial system.