Here’s the state of affairs… Two police officers were arrested yesterday: One for corruption, abuse of power, bribery of a public official and other charges (according to the announcement), and another for interfering with judicial proceedings, making threats, assault causing actual bodily harm, and stalking a woman.
Four more officers were also suspended yesterday following the escape of a 39-year-old Romanian defendant who was receiving treatment at Nicosia General Hospital.
An investigation has been ordered to determine what errors and oversights led to the escape, whether protocols were followed, and whether other members of the force bear any responsibility.
Another four police officers (prison guards) have been suspended since September when life prisoner Theodoros Theophanous, known as “The Hairdresser”, escaped while visiting his parents’ house during a dinner party with 23 guests.
Three members of the rapid response unit (MMAD) were also suspended over the same incident but have since returned to duty. Yesterday, the Attorney General announced the appointment of independent criminal investigators who will launch a fresh investigation.
Note that two investigations have already been conducted – one by the prison service and another by the police.
Meanwhile, another police officer is under arrest for the escape of a Swedish national who was being treated for gastroenteritis at a private clinic. This case could easily catch Netflix’s attention, given their previous interest in our prisons.
According to the escapee (who was subject to a European arrest warrant for financial crimes worth millions), the officer introduced him to a female lawyer and then tried to arrange their marriage so he could obtain Cypriot citizenship and potentially avoid prosecution.
The officer and lawyer allegedly helped him escape by providing shoes and a phone, before abandoning him. This followed a series of bank transfers, the transfer of a luxury car, negotiations over buying the officer’s house to help him financially, and other events that seem straight out of a film script – hence why Swedish journalists have arrived on our island to cover the story firsthand.
In addition to this officer, two more police members were suspended over the same case: the guard on duty and the shift officer in charge, who allegedly instructed the first officer (a contractor) to guard the Swedish national, despite this falling outside his duties.
Nevertheless, the police maintain they remain committed to serving society with integrity and respect. The relevant minister speaks of “zero tolerance”, the Chief of Police blames “decades of systemic problems“, and the President asks for time to allow the new leadership to find solutions.
*The title references an American film from the 1980s, where at least you could laugh. In the Cypriot version, you can only cry.