A new probe into the 2005 death of army conscript Thanasis Nicolaou has implicated military personnel alongside police officers and a medical examiner, according to official findings submitted to the Cabinet on Wednesday.
Criminal investigators Savvas Pappas and Achilleas Athanasiou concluded that Nicolaou’s death was the result of criminal action, and named seven individuals who could face prosecution, including two military officers who allegedly failed to act on the conscript’s bullying complaints.
The latest report differs from an earlier investigation by Matsas and Alexopoulos in 2021-2022, which reached similar conclusions about criminal involvement but did not recommend charges against military personnel.
The criminal investigators attribute the most serious responsibilities to medical examiner Panicos Stavrianos, according to the report, which alleges offences including dereliction of duty, issuing false certificates, destroying evidence, providing false information to police, perjury and interference with judicial proceedings.
Investigators described the initial police investigation as particularly hasty, irresponsible and negligent, claiming officers relied solely on the medical examiner’s opinion without exploring other possibilities after the 26-year-old conscript was found dead under the Alassa bridge.
The new probe benefited from additional evidence, including crucial testimony from the examination of hyoid bone plates, as well as findings from a third death inquest and a Supreme Court plenary decision.
Attorney General George Savvides has instructed a team of officials to examine the investigators’ report as soon as possible, followed by a meeting to decide on further actions, Prosecutor Polina Efthyvoulou told philenews.
The victim’s family now has a report clearly stating their son’s death was a criminal act and naming seven individuals who investigators believe bear responsibility related to their official duties.
Sources close to the family said they are awaiting the Attorney General’s decisions before taking their own actions, including possible private criminal prosecutions if official charges are not filed.
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