Cypriot police have arrested three men in connection with the murder of Cyprus media boss Andis Hadjicostis, who was gunned down outside of his home on January 11 in Nicosia, international media reported on January 15 2010.

All three suspects are in their 30s, and reportedly " well known to the police". They were arrested on January 14 and were due to appear in court the following day in Nicosia.

According to reports, the Cypriot government had dismissed the possibility that the shooting was politically motivated. There had been speculation connecting the murder to the negotiations about reunifying Turkish-occupied territory in the north of Cyprus with the rest of the island.

Hadjicostis was credited with the creation of the Sigma TV station, "as well as modernising the media empire of radio stations, newspapers and magazines" in Cyprus. The titles he owned included conservative daily publication Simerini.

Reportedly, he was increasingly popular among the Greek Cypriot community, once he took over the business from his father.

Although Hadjikostis stated that he was in favour of the peace process, he expressed his concern through his media outlets that Dimitris Christofias, Cyprus' president, would eventually succumb to Turkish pressure and allow too many concessions in the process.

Cyprus remains scarred by political and and ethnic hatred which has been prevailing ever since the island gained independence from Britain in 1960. Subsequently, the country was invaded and remains separated following the 1974 Turkish invasion that was triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.