The family of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, who was found dead in 2005, requested police protection on Friday, expressing safety concerns as the trial into their son’s death continues.

Thanasis Nicolaou’s death was initially ruled a suicide, but subsequent investigations revealed he had been strangled, leading to renewed scrutiny of the original police investigation and forensic examination.

The trial continues on Tuesday with the testimony of Thanasis’ mother, Andriana.

The Cyprus News Agency reported that the family had sent a letter to police chief Themistos Arnaoutis, saying they had been “targeted” and faced “daily mockery in threatening tones” through social media posts, by those accused and individuals associated with them.

The family requested police protection both at court and while commuting to and from court.

Thanasis, a 26-year-old national guardsman, was found dead under the Alassa bridge near Limassol in September 2005.

Those facing prosecution are forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianos, former Limassol police director Andreas Iatropoulos, former head of Limassol CID Nikos Sofokleous, former deputy police chief Christakis Nathanael and former head of the Platres police station complex Christakis Kapiliotis.

On September 29, the five defendants in the private criminal prosecution by the family pleaded not guilty.