An 85-year-old man who had been hospitalised since a violent robbery in December died on Saturday, with police confirming the case is now being treated as murder.

Charalambos Kounnapis had been receiving treatment at Nicosia general hospital following the attack at his home in Nicosia on December 20, 2025.

According to police, the assailant broke into the pensioner’s home, assaulted him and stole a sum of money.

The victim was later taken to hospital by ambulance, where doctors diagnosed severe injuries including a skull fracture, broken ribs, head trauma and a haematoma to the eye.

Following his death, authorities said they are now investigating the break in and assault as “a murder case”.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody pending trial before the criminal court.

Police confirmed he had been detained as part of the original investigation into the assault and robbery.