Hadjicostis Murder Suspect To Be Extradited

Murder suspect Gregoris Xenophontos is to be brought back to the island after authorities in Moldova approved Cyprus' extradition request.

He is wanted on allegations that he cold-bloodedly shot media group DIAS CEO Andy Hadjicostis to death on January 11th this year. On his return he will stand trial along with three other suspects who are in custody after one of their accomplices confessed to their alleged murder conspiracy.

Earlier, police said that Xenophontos had consented to his extradition, but Moldovan authorities have given him 10 days to appeal the order.

Xenophontos fled the country immediately after Hadjicostis' murder and was arrested in Moldova mid-June. Three other suspects are currently on on trial, charged with planning and executing the murder. TV presenter Elena Skordelli, her brother Tassos Krassopoulis, and Andreas Gregoriou are accused of killing Hadjicostis, motivated by a struggle to control Sigma TV and revenge after Skordelli was fired as a presenter at the television station.

A fifth suspect, Fanos Hadjigeorgiou, turned state evidence and confessed that he, Gregoriou and Xenophontos were hired by Skordelli and her brother to carry out the murder. He is now in the witness protection programme.