President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus made the decision to dismiss the chief of police, his deputy, and the acting director of the country’s central prisons complex in response to the embarrassing escape of a convicted murderer. The convict, Doros Theophanous, managed to flee while under guard during an eight-hour pass to visit family. This incident occurred while President Christodoulides was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and upon his return, he took immediate action.
Government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis announced the replacements on social media, with Themistos Arnaoutis taking over as the new police chief and Panikos Stavrou appointed as his deputy. The president is also considering recommending Constantinos Constantinides as the acting director of the Central Prisons.
Doros Theophanous, serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his pregnant partner and her daughter, was apprehended after a nationwide manhunt. Reports indicate that he was recognized while shopping at a convenience store in Limassol. Three police officers and four prison guards responsible for his custody during the family visit in Paphos have been suspended pending an investigation into possible negligence and disciplinary misconduct.
Additionally, a 26-year-old man is under police custody on suspicion of assisting Theophanous in his escape by driving him away from his guards. The escape of the convicted murderer has sparked outrage among the public and tarnished the reputation of the police force. This incident adds to the challenges faced by President Christodoulides, who is dealing with widespread perceptions of corruption and incompetence within the authorities.
