Fugitive Captured: Police Chief and Other Officials Dismissed

The arrest took place yesterday when Theofanus was recognized by a citizen while shopping at a kiosk in the Amathuntas coastal area of Limassol. The citizen alerted the police, who reviewed security cameras and apprehended Theofanus after a brief chase. He was unarmed at the time of capture and is set to appear in Baf District Court today.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of his escape, including where he stayed and whether others were involved in aiding him.

Police Leadership Changes Following Capture

President Nikos Christodoulides, upon returning from New York, immediately authorized the dismissal of key police figures. Themistos Arnavutis has been appointed as the new Police Chief, with Panikos Stavrou taking the role of Deputy Chief, and Konstantinos Konstantinidis as Acting Director of the Central Prison.

The press has widely covered both the capture and the reshuffling of the police leadership. Notably, Alithia reported that Panikos Stavrou, previously Commander of the Presidential Guard, is a close associate of Christodoulides, raising concerns about the appointments.

Politis, Fileleftheros, and Haravgi also highlighted the swift government action following what they termed a “fiasco” surrounding Theofanus’s escape.