Inconclusive autopsy for man allegedly shot in head by teargas canister gun

A post-mortem – with inconclusive results – was carried out on Monday on the body of a 44-year-old man who died suddenly late last week, almost exactly a year after he was allegedly shot in the head by the police with a teargas canister gun.

Michalis Neofytou passed away at Larnaca general hospital on Friday afternoon. Earlier in the day he had lost consciousness while at home.

The police are said to be investigating a case of sudden death. It was not possible on Monday to reach the police spokesman for a comment.

Neofytou had taken part in the July 2021 demonstrations against coronavirus-related restrictions at the presidential palace. At the time he suffered a shot in the forehead, reportedly from a teargas canister gun, fired by police. It’s understood his family had at the time filed a complaint with the police.

Forensic pathologist Angeliki Papetta, who with a colleague carried out an autopsy on Neofytou’s body, confirmed reports that the man had suffered severe headaches ever since the head trauma last July.

She told the Cyprus Mail the findings of the post-mortem were inconclusive. Samples had been sent to the State Lab for detailed tissue and toxicology tests. As of now, no specific cause of death has been logged. The results should come out over the next two to three months, the pathologist added.

A private pathologist hired by the family observed Monday’s autopsy.

Papetta said the deceased had been taking headache medication, prescribed by his personal physician. The lab analysis should determine whether Neofytou overdosed.

Asked whether the head trauma itself may have played a part in the man’s death, Papetta said “there is a slight possibility.”

Neofytou’s injury at the time received scant media attention. Friends of the deceased posted their condolences on social media, along with pictures of Neofytou and his injury.

One post read: “Today our fellow fighter Michalis Neophytou has gone to sleep forever. Michalis is the person whom the police shot in the head with a teargas canister gun during the great demonstration at the presidential palace. Michalis had constant strong headaches after he was shot in the head and was continuously taking painkillers.”

On July 18, 2021 a massive demo took place at the presidential palace to protest against the newly-instituted restrictions relating to the containment of Covid-19. Later on in the evening, the protest turned into a riot as a group broke off and headed to the Dias media complex in Nicosia, where a car was set on fire and damage caused to the building.

The news group was seen as having a hardline stance against anti-vaccination campaigners and had been targeted in previous protests against coronavirus measures.

Earlier that week, the government had introduced a ‘Safe Pass’ allowing only those vaccinated for Covid to enter supermarkets, malls, restaurants and other businesses.