A 47-year-old Swedish national pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges related to his escape from a Larnaca clinic last December.
His co-defendants – a lawyer and a police officer – requested additional time to respond to charges.
The hearing at Larnaca’s Criminal Court proceeded after a bomb threat earlier in the day prompted an evacuation of the courthouse and car park.
The Swedish defendant, who appeared with a second lawyer, Rikkos Mappourides, alongside his initial counsel Antonis Vafeas, admitted guilt to two charges: conspiracy to commit a felony and escape from custody.
Defence lawyer Kyproula Andreou, representing both the 54-year-old female lawyer and the 44-year-old police officer allegedly involved in the escape, requested time for his clients to respond after receiving case evidence documentation today.
The court scheduled the next hearing for March 13, when the Swedish national will receive his sentence while the other two defendants will enter their pleas.
The female lawyer faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, providing assistance to a detainee, and money laundering. The police officer is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, providing assistance to a detainee, abuse of power, and corruption-related transactions.
Of the three defendants, only the Swedish national remains in custody after a Court of Appeals decision granted conditional release to both the lawyer and the police officer.
The Swedish fugitive escaped from a clinic in Larnaca on December 22, 2024, and was recaptured the following day in an apartment building under construction.
According to case details, the 44-year-old police officer allegedly facilitated contact between the detainee and the lawyer, and purchased mobile phone SIM cards and shoes used during the escape.
The lawyer allegedly provided the Swedish national with a mobile phone, chargers, sneakers, handcuff keys, and a map with a designated meeting point following the escape.
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