Twelve police officers are facing disciplinary proceedings in connection with the ‘Orestis’ serial killer case from over five years ago.
Initially, 15 officers had been charged by the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints Against the Police with offences related to breach/omission and negligence of duty.
However, charges against three officers have been withdrawn due to “special circumstances,” including one nearing retirement and another on retirement leave.
The remaining cases are stalled as the disciplinary committee cannot convene due to a separate issue concerning promotions within the police force.
This follows a decision by the current Attorney General, George Savvides, not to pursue criminal charges against any of the officers due to insufficient evidence of intentional negligence.
The previous Attorney General had sought criminal prosecution under negligence of duty offences.
The case stems from the murders of seven women and two children by serial killer Nikos Metaxas, also known as “Orestis.”
Before the ‘Orestis’ case, the Cyprus Police had never investigated serial killings, and as a result, new protocols have since been developed regarding missing persons.
The victims of the serial killer were seven women: Mary Rose, 38, from the Philippines, and her daughter, Sierra Grace, 6, Arian Palanas Lozano, 28, from the Philippines, Maricar Valdez Arquila, 29, also from the Philippines, Asmita Khadka Bista, 30, from Nepal, Livia Florentina Bunea, 36, from Romania, and her daughter, Elena Natalia Bunea, 8.
Metaxas received a sentence of seven life sentences, with the sentences for the murders of the two children running concurrently with those of their mothers.
