Attempted murder suspect escapes custody, flees to Romania

A 32-year-old foreign national accused of attempted murder escaped custody and left Cyprus for Romania, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, prompting an internal investigation into failures by state services.

The suspect was due to appear before a criminal court on February 3 in connection with a stabbing in Larnaca.

Instead, he was transferred to Athalassa hospital under a psychiatric hospitalisation order and did not attend the hearing.

According to Phileleftheros, the legal service subsequently sought an arrest warrant.

The warrant was issued but never executed, with the suspect in question later discharged, after which he travelled back to Romania.

The attempted murder occurred on November 24 in Larnaca, where the accused allegedly stabbed his employer in the neck before being restrained by colleagues.

The police said the case is now under investigation following instructions from the attorney general’s office.

Officials are examining why the warrant was not enforced and whether negligence by state services and departments allowed the suspect to leave the country.