Celebrated TV host Elena Skordelli went on trial in Cyprus on Monday accused of the mafia-style murder of media mogul Andis Hadjicostis in a case that has gripped the Mediterranean island. The glamorous Skordelli, a 42-year-old mother of two, is accused along with her brother Tassos Krasopoulis, 37, and Andreas Gregoriou, a 33-year-old meat supplier, of arranging the contract killing of the millionaire. They have all pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit a crime plus the use and transport of a firearm and explosives. The 42-year-old millionaire was shot twice from close range on January 11 outside his home near the heavily guarded US embassy in Nicosia. Skordelli, smartly dressed in white top and black trousers, sat impassively during Monday's lengthy proceedings in Nicosia's criminal court, which was placed under tight police security. An emotional Toula Hadjicostis -- the tycoon's mother -- was also in the court but said little as the prosecution submitted exhibits such as a crash helmet, surveillance camera footage taken outside the victim's home and shotgun pellets taken from his body. Letters written by Skordelli to the broadcasting authority were also submitted as evidence. The case has both scandalised and fascinated the largely conservative Greek Orthodox community in equal measure. Media bosses wield great influence on the island where there is also a high regard for journalists in general and where attacks on public figures are rare. Police believe the motive was financial and personal revenge as the siblings are both shareholders in private channel Sigma TV. Hadjicostis was chief executive of the Dias media group -- one of the island's largest -- which owns the Sigma TV, Radio Proto, daily newspaper Simerini and other publications. Criminologist Andreas Kapardis told selfnews the fact that a glamorous media personality like Skordelli is involved in the trial has helped create keen public interest. 'It has shocked society because it was against a public media figure. Such killings are usually carried out between criminal gangs or people settling scores. This hasn't happened before,' he said. Prosecutors say the chat-show presenter hatched the plot to kill her ex-boss -- the scion of an influential family -- in an alleged conspiracy to take control of his media empire. It is also alleged that the woman wanted her revenge after she was sacked from Sigma and held Hadjicostis responsible. The first witnesses to take the stand were police crime scene photographers. The trial is expected to take many months with over 100 witnesses expected to be called to give evidence. Skordelli, Krasopoulis and Gregoriou were arrested and charged within weeks of the murder and have remained in custody ever since. Gregoriou, who has needed hospital treatment for a serious leg injury he suffered in a car bomb explosion on December 25, 2009, appeared for Monday's hearing in a wheel chair. The trio were detained after a suspect already in custody, Fanos Hadjigeorgiou, admitted to his part in the crime. According to the suspect's police statement, he met the TV journalist and her brother on two occasions where they ordered the hit on Hadjicostis for a 50,000-euro (60,000-dollar) fee, an earlier court hearing was told. And in return those who successfully carried out the task would also be given jobs at the station. The accused face possible life sentences if convicted by the three-judge criminal court bench. 