The two Cyprus nationals facing charges of alleged money laundering have been further charged with 293 counts of money laundering and obtaining property by deception.

The two men were further remanded in Police custody yesterday by the Suva Magistrates Court after the prosecution requested that they be further held in Police custody and be presented at the Suva Remand Centre by mid-day today.

Loizos Petridis, 42, and Cleanthis Petridis, 46, appeared before agistrate Asanga Bodaragama, represented by private lawyer Mark Anthony, while lawyer Saif Shah appeared for the prosecution.

Mr Shah said officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) needed time to take the fingerprints of Loizos and Cleanthis in relation to all 293 counts.

Mr Shah said there was an amendment in the charges against Loizos and Cleanthis who had appeared previously in court charged with only six counts of money laundering.

Defence lawyer Mr Anthony said he had received some disclosures but requested if further disclosures could be served on the next date to assist him in the case.

Mr Anthony said he had to travel from Lautoka for the case and asked the court for a mention date after next week.

Magistrate Bodaragama remanded Loizos and Cleanthis and adjourned the matter to be called before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa today for a production order to be issued for Loizos and Cleanthis to be remanded at the Suva Remand Centre.

Magistrate Bodaragama said this would also enable the Police to complete their investigations.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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