A 31-year-old Russian was acquitted in Cyprus in the case of attempted murder of a 34-year-old citizen of Georgia – the Paphos court found the three stabbing in self-defense, reports CNA.

Last spring, the Russian citizen was unable to leave Cyprus for his home country because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cessation of air flights. In May, he had a conflict with a 34-year-old Georgian and two of his friends at his rented apartment – the reason was 50 euros. The guests in ultimatum form demanded from the host to return the debt, and the instigator of the fight decided to hurry the process by hitting the Russian with a vacuum cleaner pipe. In response, the latter grabbed a kitchen knife from the table and stabbed the offender three times – in the stomach, chest and arm.

The Georgian was taken to hospital and underwent surgery and had to spend several days in intensive care unit. He filed a lawsuit against the Russian, accusing him of attempted murder.

Paphos court found the testimony of 34-year-old plaintiff unreliable and his story insincere, containing several gaps and inconsistencies. The court found no intent to kill the opponent in the actions of the Russian, considered them a reaction to the attack and recognized them as self-defense.