An independent investigator has been appointed over the death of a 24-year-old Pakistani national, who was shot at by police, it was decided on Sunday.
State pathologist Nicholas Charalambous will be suspended until a disciplinary investigation against him is completed, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said, following a cabinet decision.
Charalambous ruled out criminal activity when he assessed the victim’s body, despite a gaping bullet wound in the victim’s shoulder.
Four days later he said it was not a stone injury, but instead a gunshot wound – which came from police fire.
Attorney General George Savvides announced he appointed senior state lawyer Ninos Kekkos to carry out an independent investigation after a public outcry of an apparent coverup.
The 24-year-old Pakistani national died on January 6 after he was shot at by police during an incident in Potamia, at the buffer zone. For reasons not yet known, his dead body was found in Strovolos, almost 30km away from the Green Line.
Adding to the growing voices calling this a corrupt coverup is the fact that state pathologist Charalambous initially ruled out criminal activity when he assessed the body at the scene.
Four days later when he carried out the autopsy, he identified the bullet wound – which he initially said was caused by a stone.
Police has since said it was patrolling the buffer zone when it noticed three vehicles illegally smuggling migrants. It said officers had shot at the wheels of one of the trucks.
No further clarification has been offered, but it has since been confirmed that the Pakistani man was killed by police fire.
Charalambous’ ruling that there was no criminal activity meant the CID did not investigate the matter.
Earlier on Sunday, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said he has received a fact-finding report over the matter. State pathologists full under the responsibility of the health ministry.
Police issued its own statement after the AG, specifying it would no longer be making any statements on the matter, and would continue its investigation.
In a brief written statement, Savvides his decision to appoint an investigator follows a briefing from the police chief.
Disy said the case screams of a coverup, while Akel called on the justice minister and police chief to take action.
Click here to change your cookie preferences