NICOSIA – In a dramatic turn of events that could significantly alter the trajectory of the protracted Thanasis Nicolaou case, Savvas Matsas, who had been serving as a prosecutor, announced on Thursday his withdrawal from that role to provide testimony as a witness. The development, which led to a further adjournment of proceedings, underscores the intricate and deeply entrenched complexities surrounding the 2005 death of the conscript and the subsequent allegations of a deliberate cover-up.
Matsas’s decision to transition from prosecutor to witness stems from a confluence of factors, notably the reluctance of Antonis Alexopoulos, a criminal investigator with whom Matsas collaborated, to take the stand. Alexopoulos, it is understood, is currently a candidate for a judicial appointment, a position that reportedly precludes him from giving evidence in this particular case. Matsas also alluded to a secondary, as yet undisclosed, rationale for his pivotal change in status. This move comes against a backdrop of prior scrutiny, as Matsas himself had previously been relieved of his duties as an independent criminal investigator by the Attorney-General, a decision precipitated by his disclosures of case findings to the media, which had raised concerns about the handling of sensitive information.
With Matsas no longer presiding over the prosecution, the formidable task of leading the state’s case will now be undertaken by the esteemed law firm of Christos Clerides. Alexandros Clerides will be representing the firm in this capacity. The court, acknowledging the necessity for this prosecutorial transition and the ensuing logistical adjustments, acceded to a request for a new postponement of the trial, despite evident objections from the defence. However, the bench issued a stern admonition, making it unequivocally clear that no further delays would be countenanced, setting a firm deadline for the submission of all evidence by the prosecution to the defence by March 9. The next crucial hearing has been scheduled for March 13.
The case, which has languished for years, centres on nearly forty charges levied against five former officials. These defendants include the former state pathologist Panicos Stavrianos, ex-Limassol police chief Angelos Iatropolos, former head of the Limassol police crime detection unit Nicos Sophocleous, former rural police chief Christakis Nathanael, and Christakis Kapiliotis, formerly the head of the Lania police station. The charges broadly encompass alleged complicity in orchestrating a cover-up following Nicolaou’s demise. The implications of Matsas’s testimony, given his intimate involvement and prior role, are anticipated to be substantial, potentially shedding new light on the intricate web of events and decisions that have characterised this deeply divisive investigation. The transition in prosecution and the forthcoming witness testimony mark a critical juncture, as the legal system grapples with bringing closure to a case that has profoundly impacted the Nicolaou family and raised persistent questions about accountability and transparency within state institutions.