The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on an appeal by state coroner Panicos Stavrianos, just days before investigators are due to submit their final report into the 2005 death of soldier Thanasis Nicolaou.
Stavrianos appeared before criminal investigators Athanasios Athanasiou and Lambros Papas on Tuesday, maintaining his position that Nicolaou’s death resulted from a fall from height.
The coroner, represented by lawyer Andriana Klaidis, provided investigators with a detailed report supporting his conclusions. Unlike in previous investigations, Stavrianos was not questioned as a suspect nor formally charged.
The Supreme Court heard arguments regarding Stavrianos’s request to appeal its earlier decision on the inquest findings. His legal team argued that while the court found his right to be heard was violated, it declined to order a new inquest citing public interest.
The court indicated it could review its decision autonomously in two circumstances: if a serious error is identified or if someone who should have been present at the trial was not notified.
The two criminal investigators, appointed by the Cabinet in May, must submit their findings by Friday, February 21.
Sources say they have gathered statements from all involved parties, leaving those previously suspected of dereliction of duty until last.
The report will be submitted to the Cabinet before being forwarded to the Attorney General for review and decision-making.
Nicolaou’s family has expressed concerns about this process, citing the Attorney General’s previous refusal to pursue criminal charges against those identified in an earlier investigation.
Key focus remains on whether investigators will conclude that the 26-year-old soldier’s death resulted from criminal activity, even if perpetrators cannot be identified.
