The 35-year-old Greek allegedly targeted Charlie Birch, 39, of Welshpool, Mid Wales, and a pal in June after they stopped him hitting a woman.
His lawyer Savvas Matsas said: “They cannot prove he planned to kill. He was drunk. The most he can be accused of is manslaughter.”
The dad-of-two Charlie Birch was killed in a suspected deliberate hit-and-run in Cyprus – just hours after stepping in to stop the driver from assaulting his girlfriend in a local bar in June.
Police say Charlie and William Pritchard had been walking along a road when they were struck down just hours after stopping the driver from hitting his girlfriend in a bar in nearby Coral Bay.
Cops said they found the two Brits found lying "helplessly on the road" after being run down and were taken immediately to hospital.
Soon afterwards the suspect drove the car into the sea in nearby Ayios Georghios harbour, cops say, in a bid to destroy evidence.
The driver reportedly made it back to the shore unaided, but the girlfriend had to be helped from the sea by witnesses. They were arrested by cops soon afterwards.
Police sources say they are probing whether the man Charlie dragged away from his partner had then lain in wait and run into him and William.
Charlie was on a family holiday with his two daughters,mum Rosemary, his sister Jackie and husband William.
The two suspects are now facing charges of premeditated murder. They have been remanded for eight days by Paphos district court.
William's dad told The Sun Online he had spoken with his son from his hospital bed in Cyprus.
He said: "He's taken it very badly and obviously he's in hospital and there's not much we can do to help him.
"He's got two children. It's not good, they're on holiday out there with him. We're waiting to hear back about doctor's reports."
Meanwhile, devastated friends today paid tribute to Charlie on Facebook.
Family friend and local town councillor Graham Breeze said: "Charlie was very well-known and well-liked here. It is a terrible tragedy for the family.
"It's been a tragic end to what was to have been a perfect family holiday. It's a very difficult situation.
"Obviously, Charlie was on what should have been an idyllic holiday with his two daughters and his mother and his extended family.
"It's a tragic situation really. The town will be very supportive.
"The two men are members of the local golf club and very well known in the town. News of what happened spread quickly on Sunday and it has cast a shadow over the place.
A fellow builder in the town, who asked not to be named, said: "Charlie was a good, salt of the earth guy but no shrinking violet.
"If he had seen some bloke hitting a woman he was the sort to have stepped in. He wouldn't have liked that."
Charlie's other brother in-law, Adrian Bowen, said: "It is an absolutely horrendous experience. Charlie has two little girls.
"The family are trying to fly home as soon as they can."
Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Charlie with Facebook pictures and videos show him playing with his two daughters.
He can also be seen on the Oblivion roller coaster at Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent.
In one post he writes: “I was nominated to post a picture that makes me feel proud to be a father/stepfather (only one picture).
"Im going to tag some men that i think are awesome fathers.”
His friend Cheryl Griffiths, from Newtown, Powys, said on Sunday: “One thing on my mind today.
“A loyal friend, a lovable rogue and an awesome dad! “Life changes in a blink of the eye……rest in peace Charlie Birch. Gone but never forgotten.” Jonathan Rees, from Anglesey, Wales, added: “Terrible news about Charlie Birch today RIP mate.
“My sincere condolences to all his family at this awful time.”
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are offering advice and support to the family of a British man following his death in Cyprus, and are in contact with the Cypriot authorities."
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