A deadly confrontation in Wing 4 of the Central Prisons unfolded in under ten minutes on Monday evening, ending with the death of a 35-year-old Egyptian inmate.
At 18:53, a 30-year-old Greek-Cypriot prisoner entered the cell of the 35-year-old Egyptian and tried to drag him out. The Egyptian resisted, argued with the Cypriot, and a fight broke out.
During the struggle, the 30-year-old sprayed antiseptic spray into the victim’s face and punched him hard in the face.
Guards intervene quickly
Prison officers and other inmates separated the two men within minutes. Staff took the 35-year-old Egyptian outside the warders’ office.
At 18:58, just five minutes after the initial incident, the victim felt unwell and collapsed in front of the guards.
An ambulance rushed him to a private clinic in Engomi. He arrived unconscious, and doctors pronounced him dead at 20:02.
Suspect admits punching victim
During initial questioning, the 30-year-old Cypriot told investigators he argued with the victim and punched him in the face.
The prosecution requested and obtained an eight-day remand on charges of premeditated murder.
Justice Minister Konstantinos Fytiris stated that investigations at the Central Prisons will establish the exact causes of the brutal crime. He stressed that prisoners must receive humane treatment while the law and court decisions remain fully enforced.
The post-mortem examination failed to determine the precise cause of death. Pathologists took samples for further scientific tests.
The 35-year-old Egyptian victim served a long sentence for murdering a woman whose body was discovered on 23 February 2021 in a field inside the Athienou buffer zone. The 30-year-old Cypriot suspect was imprisoned for burglary and theft offences.
Also read: Man dies after violent attack in Central Prisons
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