Four police officers are to be suspended following the escape and subsequent capture of the Romanian who escaped while in custody at hospital.

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

Two of the police officers facing suspension were guarding the Romanian when he escaped and the other two were their replacements.

An investigating officer has already been appointed to determine the errors and omissions that led to the escape, and whether responsibilities can be found elsewhere in the force.

The escapes and operational effectiveness of the police was discussed on Wednesday morning, under Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis, who was definite on the measures that should be taken.

Cosmin is the latest in a series of recent suspects and convicts who have escaped police custody.

Hartsiotis also sent the message that he and the government supported zero tolerance in matters of corruption.

Cosmin was found on Tuesday night at a factory in Latsia, about 1km from the hospital, after a civilian informed the police of an unknown person wandering in the area. Cosmin was not in handcuffs when he was found.

The 39-year-old 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 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.

Cosmin 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.

Meanwhile, Disy and Akel lambasted the government over the escapes.

“The continuous escapes are a running joke, with serious repercussions for society,” Disy said on Wednesday.

It said there could be no excuses anymore and that the government should assume its responsibilities.
Akel spokesman Giorgos Koukoumas was also swift to condemn the police’s handling.

“The escapes of prisoners from the hands of the police have become routine, humiliating the force and undermining the sense of security in the country.”

He wondered how the police could handle more serious issues, such as organised crime and drug trafficking when “every now and then” they lose people in custody.

Akel said the frequency of the escapes pointed the finger higher than the police, saying that government of Nicos Anastasiades had weakened the force and the current government of Nikos Christodoulides had entered its third year and could not lay the blame elsewhere.

“Just how many escapes does it take to undertake political responsibility?” Akel asked.