Police launched a manhunt on Tuesday afternoon for a 39-year-old who was in custody for theft, who slipped through their fingers while being treated at Nicosia general hospital.

The man was named as Ciorogariu Iulian Cosmin from Romania.

Cosmin was taken to hospital on Monday and escaped at 4pm on Tuesday, after swallowing small razor blades, which he had detached from a razor given to him for personal hygiene.

Chief of police Themistos Arnaoutis said in a message that all aspects of the escape would be thoroughly investigated and responsibilities would be attributed.

He added that police were still searching for the escapee and that two police officers had been assigned to guard him while in hospital.

“We acknowledge that there are weaknesses in guarding people in custody and inmates when they need to be treated for health reasons, as there is no appropriate infrastructure at the hospitals,” Arnaoutis said.

He added that, “although we are aware of these weaknesses, we nevertheless make sure to provide care and medical treatment.”

The chief of police said problems had surfaced on an operational level since the new leadership took over and that the police, with the support of the justice ministry, were in the process of taking measures to improve efficiency.

Anyone who can help locate Cosmin is requested to contact the police on 22802222 or the citizen’s line on 1460 or visit the closest police station.

He had been arrested for theft in Nicosia and a case lodged against him at the district court.

He was being held in police custody while awaiting trial.

This is not the first time in recent months a person has escaped police custody.

In December, a fugitive escaped police custody while he was being treated at a private Larnaca clinic but was later re-arrested in Larnaca.

In September, a convicted murderer escaped while on leave visiting relatives in Paphos.

A month prior to that, an inmate escaped from a psychiatric hospital in Nicosia where he was being treated.