The government of the Republic of Cyprus has appointed independent investigators into the murder of Cypriot Australian Thanasis Nicolaou.
This comes after a judge from the Limassol district court ruled on Friday, May 10 that Nicolaou’s death in 2005 was murder by strangulation, vindicating his family’s long-held belief of foul play.
Nicolaou was found dead under Alassa bridge in September 2005. He was 26. Forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianos ruled it was a suicide, however the family has long-argued it was a murder coverup.
At the time of his death, Nicolaou was serving in the armed forces of Cyprus. Nicolaou died a day after he reported horrific bullying at his army unit, and spoke out of suspicions of drug dealing at his barracks.
In response to Friday’s district court ruling, the government has since appointed Thanasis Athanasiou, a legal expert, and Lambros Pappas, a retired Hellenic Police Lieutenant General who formerly headed Greece’s Homicide Department, to investigate Nicolaou’s death further.
According to In-Cyprus, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis announced the appointments after a cabinet meeting this week.
Hartsiotis said the investigators will examine the case for the past 19 years, from 2005 to 2024.
“Everything will be investigated,” the Justice Minister said.
“After 19 long years, it is imperative that we leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. This is a tragic and sensitive case that needs to be concluded in the best possible way to provide closure for Thanasis Nicolaou and his family.”
Source: In-Cyprus.
