Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis has appointed a new investigator for the case of the escaped convict, to avoid possible issues over transparency, police said on Tuesday.
According to the force’s spokesman Christos Andreou, the original investigator worked at police criminal investigation department (CID) headquarters.
However, the new CID head is career police officer Charalambos Philippides, who was himself the deputy prison director and implicated in the scandal.
Philippides was fired from his position at the prison just over a week ago, after convict Doros Theofanous escaped guards during a home visit while serving a life sentence for the double murder of his pregnant partner and her three-year-old daughter.
Though police are carrying out a disciplinary investigation into its members, Andreou said as the original investigator would have been Philippides as their boss, it was decided to replace them so as to avoid any conflict of interest.
Theofanous had a seven-team guard while visiting his family home in Choletria, Paphos. It was made up of three police officers (from the rapid response unit) and four prison guards. All have been suspended.
The police chief was also fired and replaced with Arnaoutis. The deputy police chief was also dismissed.
An investigation was ordered over Theofanous’ escape and everything leading up to it, amid reports he had received preferential treatment.
Akel called on the justice minister to clarify if this was the case, as the lifer was reportedly granted permits to leave prison for theatre visits.
Theofanous was jailed for life in 2012 after he murdered his 24-year-old pregnant partner and her three-year-old daughter.
Akel cited press reports which claimed the convict was granted leave since 2019, violating prison rules that required him to serve 10 years before such perks.
A Phileleftheros article suggested Theofanous even had a relationship with a female convict.
The ‘prison break from home’ prompted heavy fire against police, the prison department and justice ministry for the apparent ease with which Theofanous managed to get away.
Theofanous’ 26-year-old accomplice will remain in custody until his trial begins before the criminal court on October 22.
The 26-year-old is facing charges of assisting the escape of a person in legal custody and disobedience to lawful orders, inter alia.
The district court deemed the 26-year-old, who was on parole, should remain in custody as he may not show up next time.
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