The assassination of two men connected to organised crime who were at the top of the police’s list of high-risk individuals is causing unrest regarding future developments.
Alexis Mavromichalis in Nicosia and Thanasis Kalogeropoulos in Limassol were murdered within a 37-hour difference, a fact that does not appear to be coincidental, causing concern to the authorities about what may follow. It remains unknown who will now control organised crime, particularly in Nicosia.
In the hypothetical scenario that the same person is behind both murders, it is completely unknown to what extent the settling of scores has been completed. On the other hand, no one knows how individuals who either consider themselves targets or seek revenge will react.
For these reasons, the authorities are now moving to warn criminal elements not to open a new cycle of bloodshed, while at the same time, increased surveillance measures are being taken on individuals with a criminal history. All of this constitutes a dangerous situation, with investigations into the two crimes still in the initial stages, while hope rests on scientific evidence for any significant breakthroughs.
As observed in the case of Alexis Mavromichalis, known as ‘Alexoui’, the police found a cartridge case about 50 meters from his apartment, and it is estimated that the bullet that fatally struck him came from it. Mavromichalis was shot in the abdominal area while he was right at the exit of the balcony door, with his body facing outwards (he had not gone out onto the balcony).
The perpetrator had positioned himself in an open area between two apartment buildings, opposite the apartment building where the 45-year-old resided. He had hidden behind a tree and, as soon as he saw Mavromichalis, he aimed, hitting him in the trunk. The cartridge case found at the scene refers to an automatic rifle similar to a G3; however, it will be examined first scientifically and then ballistically. Although Mavromichalis’ apartment was on the second floor, due to the difference in elevation of the location where the perpetrator was, he essentially had almost a direct line of contact with him.
In the apartment where Mavromichalis lived with his partner, there were cameras, with video footage currently under examination. Other closed-circuit cameras taken from the area will also be examined. After firing at Alexoui, the perpetrator fled, running, taking cover in the darkness, and boarded a vehicle that had been stolen since October 19, which was located in less than 15 minutes burning near Kotsiatis by the highway. It is not ruled out that another person was waiting for him in the vehicle.
Following the two murders, the authorities find themselves in a difficult position and are trying to prevent a new cycle of bloodshed. Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou did not hide his concern that we had a second murder within 48 hours. “I visited the scene yesterday and today. A meeting will follow at the Nicosia CID with the Limassol CID to see if there is any connection between the two incidents.” It is a fact that vehicles constitute common elements in the two murders, said Mr. Papatheodorou, emphasising that the relevance of the first to the second murder will be investigated when the initial investigations are completed.
Mr. Papatheodorou stressed that they do not have any information about a new murder, and the focus is currently placed on solving the two murders. The victim was known to the authorities, and information had been provided before, said the Police Chief; however, there has been no recent information about action against him.
The connection between the two murders and the concerns of the police
The police are not leaving any room for complacency regarding the two murders since there are elements that link them. The most important of these is the chronological coincidence. The view of the police is that it is highly unlikely that two separate individuals cannot order two murders of prominent members of organised crime within a 37-hour difference. It is also not coincidental that the perpetrators stole the vehicles they used and then set them on fire.
In the case of Kalogeropoulos, however, the two hooded men wanted him dead at all costs, which is why they acted during the day, in front of people, disregarding the possibility of innocent lives being lost. Following the murder, they left their weapons in the burning vehicle, seemingly certain that they would not be identified through them.
Meanwhile, the safety of citizens is a high priority, said Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, referring to the feelings generated by the two recent crimes with the victims being Thanasis Kalogeropoulos and Alexis Mavromichalis.
Asked if the two murders are a matter that has concerned the government, he replied: “I cannot say much about the last two incidents as investigations are still ongoing. At the same time, one of the fundamental obligations of a state is to provide both security, as well as a sense of security to its citizens. We can do nothing but place a high emphasis on maintaining security within our society. We will wait for the investigations to be completed, which, as far as I understand, are still ongoing.” He also emphasised that the government is constantly concerned about how to further enhance the sense of security in society and what measures can be taken to strengthen it further.
It should be noted that the issue of the increase in criminal activity will be discussed in a closed-door session of the House’s Legal Affairs Committee, following a decision made yesterday.
