Police are investigating a 54-year-old lawyer and a 44-year-old police officer for their alleged involvement in helping a Swedish detainee escape from a clinic in Larnaca on 22 December.
The detained lawyer and police officer are suspected of providing the Swedish national with trainers, handcuff keys and a mobile phone. The 49-year-old Swede had been arrested at Larnaca airport on 6 December, wanted by Swedish authorities for financial fraud amounting to €90 million.
Police are examining more than 4,000 photographs found on a mobile phone in the Swede’s possession when he was recaptured on 23 December in an unfinished apartment building in Larnaca. The images, taken between 10 and 23 December, mostly show the suspect and his clinic room.
The court heard that one photograph showed the accused police officer with facial injuries, accompanied by a message allegedly requesting the detainee to give money to the lawyer.
Forensic examination is pending for the lawyer’s mobile phone and four others found at the police officer’s residence. The Swedish national, who was initially held at Oroklini Police Station, confessed that the police officer approached him whilst on duty and suggested the lawyer handle his case.
According to court testimony, the detainee transferred €5,000 to the lawyer through his son and gifted her a limited-edition luxury vehicle reportedly worth over €100,000. The police officer had allegedly requested to purchase his house in exchange, citing financial difficulties.
The Swede was admitted to the private clinic in Larnaca with gastroenteritis on 9 December. He stated in his testimony that the lawyer subsequently supplied him with a mobile phone, chargers, trainers allegedly purchased by the police officer, handcuff keys and a map with a meeting point.
Notably, the Swedish fugitive claimed the lawyer proposed marriage to him shortly after his hospital admission, which he says he declined. The lawyer, arrested on 31 December, verbally counter-claimed that he had proposed to her, allegedly expressing interest in establishing ties with the Republic of Cyprus.
Police discovered the empty box of the mobile phone found in the Swede’s possession at the lawyer’s house in Pervolia. The police officer’s residence contained 42 cartridges, exceeding his legal limit of 25, leading to additional charges of illegal possession of explosive materials.
Authorities are taking approximately 60 statements and investigating potential additional suspects.
Two other police officers have been suspended, in addition to the detained 44-year-old officer.
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