Court proceedings postponed over return of conscript Thanasis’ remains

The planned court ruling over whether the remains of conscript Thanasis Nicolaou, who was killed in 2005, would be returned to his family, was on Friday postponed.

It had initially been planned that the ruling would be made on Friday after Nicolaou’s family had requested that the remains be handed over. Former state pathologist Panicos Stavrianos had objected to the request.

It is now expected that a ruling will be made next week.

Nicolaou had been buried in the cemetery in the Limassol suburb of Ayia Phyla, and his remains were exhumed in 2020. Since then, they have been kept in an ossuary belonging to the Greek orthodox diocese of Limassol.

The legal service had responded positively to the idea of Nicolaou’s bones being returned to his family but had suggested that tissue samples should not be returned as they may later be needed during criminal proceedings relating to his death.

Stavrianos is reportedly one of seven people who have been held responsible for Nicolaou’s death, following the completion of an investigation carried out by lawyer Thanasis Athanasiou and retired Greek police lieutenant Lambros Pappas

Their report had concluded both that Nicolaou died due to a criminal act, and that seven people bear responsibility.

Alongside Stavrianos, two military officials and four members of the police force have been held responsible.

Stavrianos had ruled in 2005 that Nicolaou, who was found dead under a bridge near the Limassol district village of Alassa, had committed suicide, while his mother Andriana Nicolaou had for nearly two decades campaigned to have Stavrianos’ ruling overturned.

This led to Nicolaou’s bones being exhumed and examined in 2020, with new information coming to light thereafter leading to the conclusion that his death was due to a criminal act and not a suicide.

Last year, the Limassol district court ruled that Nicolaou had been strangled to death, prompting President Nikos Christodoulides to appoint Athanasiou and Pappas to conduct a fresh investigation. They handed in their report on Wednesday.

Stavrianos had ruled in 2005 that Nicolaou, who was found dead under a bridge near the Limassol district village of Alassa, had committed suicide, while his mother Andriana Nicolaou had for nearly two decades campaigned to have Stavrianos’ ruling overturned.

This led to Nicolaou’s bones being exhumed and examined in 2020, with new information coming to light thereafter leading to the conclusion that his death was due to a criminal act and not a suicide.

Last year, the Limassol district court ruled that Nicolaou had been strangled to death, prompting President Nikos Christodoulides to appoint Athanasiou and Pappas to conduct a fresh investigation. They handed in their report on Wednesday.