The Attorney General has received a comprehensive report from two criminal investigators examining the circumstances surrounding a convicted murderer’s escape from custody during a supervised visit to his family home in September of 2024.
The report, described as voluminous due to the case’s complexity and uniqueness, follows months of investigation into the security breach that led to the dismissal of senior police officials and prompted a criminal inquiry.
Doros Theofanous, serving a life sentence for the murders of his pregnant girlfriend and her daughter, escaped on 26 September 2024 whilst under escort by seven guards – four prison officers and three members of the special police unit MMAD – during a family visit to his parents’ home in Choletria, Paphos.
High-security escort fails to prevent escape
Despite strict security measures, the convicted double murderer managed to flee whilst attending a party at his parents’ house with his security detail present.
He was later apprehended on Limassol’s seafront promenade following a manhunt, after hiding in someone’s residence.
The escape prompted President Nikos Christodoulides to dismiss the police chief and deputy chief, whilst the deputy director of the Central Prisons was also removed from his position.
Following public outcry, Attorney General Giorgos Savvides appointed criminal investigators Stefanos Skordi and Christos Kara on 8 January 2025 to conduct a criminal investigation into potential offences by police officers, prison department members and any other persons connected to the escape.
Investigation scope expanded beyond escape day
The investigators were tasked with examining not only the circumstances of the 26 September escape and the conditions under which the supervised leave was granted but also previous instances when similar permissions were given to the convicted murderer.
Although initially given two months to complete their inquiry, the investigation period was extended three times due to the need to take numerous statements from prison staff, police officers, and individuals who attended the party and witnessed the escape.
The probe also covered previous supervised leave permissions granted to the life sentence prisoner, requiring testimony from officials who had approved such visits in the past.
Legal review of findings underway
The criminal investigators’ report contains a series of findings and recommendations now being studied by Law Office officials, who will advise the attorney general on next steps.
Sources suggest certain issues appear to emerge from the findings, though all matters will be evaluated from a legal perspective before any decisions are made regarding potential prosecutions.
A separate disciplinary investigation was also ordered for the seven uniformed officers involved in the failed escort operation, running parallel to the criminal inquiry into potential criminal liability.