A 39-year-old man will return to court tomorrow over an incident where a Pakistani migrant, Shoaib Khan, died from police gunfire during an anti-immigration operation in Potamia.
Police seek extended detention as investigations continue, with discussions ongoing about a potential second autopsy by an independent examiner.
A Turkish Cypriot suspect, released on bail today in the occupied north, admitted involvement in the incident. He was arrested at Kyrenia port attempting to flee in a vehicle with a painted-over bullet hole.
Authorities are searching for the alleged trafficking ringleader who they say may have escaped to the occupied north. Police are also seeking three additional Turkish Cypriot suspects believed present at the scene.
Khan was reportedly paying €500 to be transported to government-controlled areas.
The incident occurred near the buffer zone near Potamia. Initial police reports indicated the shooting occurred while officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be involved in a smuggling operation. However, forensic findings suggesting the man was shot in the back have raised questions and contradicted the initial police account.
Moreover, an initial autopsy of the man’s body ruled out foul play. A second autopsy, performed a few days later, found a 9mm bullet lodged in the man’s back. State coroner Dr Nicolas Charalambous who performed the fist autopsy has been suspended.
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