Former state pathologist challenges murder ruling in Nicolaou case

The Supreme Court began its hearing on Wednesday over the certiorari filed by former state pathologist Panicos Stavrianos, who is seeking to throw out the findings of a death inquiry which ruled Thanasis Nicolaou was murdered.

Stavrianos in 2005 examined Nicolaou’s lifeless body that was found under the Alassa bridge in Limassol. The pathologist ruled it a suicide.

After 19 years, the third inquiry into Nicolaou’s death found the national guardsman had been murdered and died of strangulation.

Nonetheless, Stavrianos’ certiorari seeks to annul the findings and argues his right to be heard during the inquiry was violated.

During the inquiry, the state prosecutor had sought to have Stavrianos and other experts take the witness stand. The request was rejected by judge Doria Varoshiotou, who accused the legal service of ignoring a European Court of Human Rights decision that found fault with the way the investigation into Nicolaou’s death was carried out.

Following the inquiry which ruled Nicolaou was murdered, cabinet appointed two independent investigators to the case.

Retired Greek police lieutenant Lambros Pappas and lawyer Thanasis Athanasiou have been tasked with uncovering the circumstances behind Nicolaou’s death, as well as any “reprehensible acts” and omissions in how the case was handled.

President Nikos Christodoulides himself said the truth must shine over what happened to Nicolaou, as he stressed it is high time to have answers over the case.

Last month, the investigators called on the public to come forward with any information related to the case, even anonymously. Both have stated they will make no statements to the media due to the sensitivities surrounding the case, unless a situation arises that requires them to say something officially.