A Swedish man’s escape from a private hospital in Larnaca has exposed irregular police practices after it emerged he was being guarded by an officer whose duties are legally restricted to immigration matters.
The 49-year-old fugitive, wanted by Swedish authorities for fraud, escaped on Sunday while under the watch of a Special Contract Police Officer (SEA), whose role is limited by law to immigration-related duties.
Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis has placed a senior officer on administrative leave following the incident. Police spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou confirmed an investigation was underway into the irregular deployment.
The incident has highlighted broader concerns about the misuse of contract officers. Seven such officers were transferred to Larnaca’s central police station last summer, where they frequently performed duties beyond their legal mandate, sources said.
Under Cyprus’s 2022 Police Law, SEA officers are restricted to immigration-related duties, including border patrols and migrant detention centre operations.
A legislative proposal in June 2024 sought to expand their duties to include general guard duties and create 65 new positions, but faced opposition in parliament. Police Isotita union leader Nikos Loizides warned at the time that expanding contract officer roles without proper regulation could compromise police operations.
The fugitive has since been recaptured.
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