An administrative investigation is under way into the escape of an 18-year-old Syrian remand prisoner from a police van outside Larnaca District Court, after Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis ordered an inquiry into the incident.
The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place on Monday, 12 October, after the teenager had appeared in court in connection with theft and burglary cases.
CCTV footage under scrutiny
According to information, investigators are examining CCTV footage from the area around the court. The footage reportedly shows that the door of the police van was open, the 18-year-old was not handcuffed and no police officer was present at the scene.
The teenager had been transported to the court at around 9am from Aradippou Police Station’s detention facilities, along with other detainees. At approximately 12.15pm, after his court appearance, he was taken back to the police van, where the other detainees were waiting.
Prisoner described as high risk
Authorities reportedly considered the teenager a high-risk individual because of his previous involvement in a fatal road collision.
In November 2024, he was driving a stolen vehicle when it was involved in a crash that killed an 18-year-old female passenger. He left the scene but was subsequently arrested, convicted and served a prison sentence at the Central Prisons.
Two of his brothers are also serving sentences at the facility for criminal offences, according to the report.
Arrested around two hours after escape
The 18-year-old was located and arrested by members of the Bicycle Police in central Larnaca almost two hours after escaping.
The administrative investigation is continuing as authorities examine the circumstances that allowed the prisoner to leave the police vehicle.
Also read: Larnaca prisoner escape sparks police search
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