Proceedings to get underway in national guardsman’s death case

The investigation into the death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, whose lifeless body was found under a bridge in Alassa in 2005, has entered the phase of testimonies.

On Monday testimonies are expected to be heard from the court recorder, the police investigator and Dr Marios Kariolou from the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING).

On Wednesday forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianos will testify, as requested by the Legal Service.

Stavrianos had previously ruled that Nicolaou’s death was due to suicide, which was overturned by the latest findings, after the exhumation of the national guardsman’s bones.

The family also requested pathologist Dimitra Karagianni and criminal investigator Savvas Matsas testify.

The court gave time to both sides to contact experts from Greece to establish that they could be in Cyprus on specific dates to testify as witnesses.

Former head of the Athens forensic service Filippos Koutsaftis, due to his age, is unable to attend the proceedings.

The court aims to complete the entire process by December 22, with the judge prioritising this case over others.