A criminal investigator involved in the murder case of National Guard conscript Thanasis Nicolaou has filed police complaints, saying he was threatened over his involvement in the case.
Savvas Matsas, former senior state counsel who co-authored a criminal investigation concluding Nicolaou was strangled rather than a suicide victim, reported intimidation approximately ten days ago to Nicosia police authorities.
The complaint detailed threatening social media messages and silent phone calls from abroad. One message allegedly came from a relative of a person directly involved in the case, stating: “Did you rinse with mouthwash before mentioning my brother’s name? If not, do it next time… and generally do it because… you know…”
Nineteen-year murder investigation sparks intimidation campaign
Nicolaou, a 26-year-old Australian-Cypriot who returned from Melbourne to complete military service, was found dead under Alassa Bridge near Limassol on September 29, 2005. Authorities initially ruled the death suicide despite family protests.
The European Court of Human Rights condemned Cyprus for insufficient investigation, calling it inadequate. After three separate inquiries spanning nearly two decades, Judge Doria Varoshiotou ruled in May 2024 that Nicolaou died by strangulation in a criminal act.
Matsas, who served 37 years in the Law Office, described the original investigation as crossing “the boundaries of gross negligence and borders on a cover-up.” He was removed from the case after revealing findings to media that attributed responsibility to four former police officers and forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianos.
Court proceedings revealed Nicolaou experienced severe bullying during his military service, including being forced to make “confessions of love to a lamp.” He had reported fears for his safety to commanding officers before his death.
Family prepares private prosecutions after state declines charges
The Law Office declined to pursue criminal charges in June 2025, prompting the family to announce private prosecutions against specific individuals involved in the death investigation and alleged cover-up.
Cabinet appointed retired Greek police lieutenant Lambros Pappas and lawyer Thanasis Athanasiou in May 2024 to conduct an independent investigation into the killing and identify who was responsible for the alleged 19-year cover-up.
Nicosia police have initiated investigations into Matsas’s complaints, with authorities conducting additional inquiries into the reported threats.
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