Police have revealed startling details about the alleged involvement of a 44-year-old police officer and a 54-year-old lawyer in the escape of a Swedish detainee from a private clinic in Larnaca on December 22.
The three suspects appeared before Larnaca District Court on Tuesday, where police sought an eight-day detention order. They face serious charges including conspiracy to commit a felony and corruption-related offences.
Case investigator Andreas Andreou told the court that when the Swedish national was arrested on December 23 in a building under construction in Larnaca, authorities found a mobile phone and sports bag in his possession.
The suspect initially claimed he bought the phone from a passerby and found the bag in a park, but later implicated his lawyer and the police officer in a second statement.
According to court proceedings, the Swedish detainee said the police officer approached him at Oroklini Police Station, suggesting the 54-year-old lawyer handle his case.
The lawyer allegedly visited him, claiming high-level connections and requesting payment, receiving €5,000 through the detainee’s son.
She also allegedly acquired a luxury vehicle from him as additional payment for helping him escape.
The court heard that the lawyer provided the detainee with a mobile phone and chargers at the clinic, and even proposed marriage to help him stay in Cyprus, which he rejected.
The police officer allegedly sent a photo of himself appearing injured to pressure the detainee for more payments to the lawyer.
Both suspects were arrested in early morning raids – the lawyer in Pervolia and the officer in Kiti.
The lawyer verbally stated that there was romantic interest between her and the detainee, claiming he proposed marriage to her. The police officer admitted to buying trainers for the detainee at the lawyer’s request and sending his photo, expecting financial help in return.
Two additional police officers have been suspended over the incident – a Special Contract Police Officer who was guarding the detainee during the escape, and a Larnaca police duty officer who allegedly gave improper instructions regarding the guard duty.
The detention hearing continues at Larnaca District Court.
