ALASSA — 2005 · Suspicious Death
The Death of Thanasis Nicolaou
Thanasis Nicolaou, a 26-year-old National Guard conscript, was found dead under a bridge in the village of Alassa near Limassol on 29 September 2005. For many years the authorities treated the death as suicide, while his mother fought a long legal battle insisting her son had been killed. On 10 May 2024, at an inquest before the Limassol District Court, the judge ruled that Nicolaou had not taken his own life but had been strangled. An appeal by the state pathologist was rejected by the Supreme Court in February 2025. The Council of Ministers appointed independent investigators to examine both the killing and the conduct of the authorities. The perpetrators have not yet been identified.
- Date
- 2005
- Place
- Limassol, Cyprus, Alassa, CY
- Category
- Suspicious Death
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 34.7667, 32.9333 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 29 September 2005Thanasis Nicolaou was found dead under a bridge in Alassa.
- 2005–2023The death was treated as suicide; his family campaigned for a new inquiry.
- 10 May 2024A Limassol court ruled the death was murder by strangulation.
- May 2024The Council of Ministers appointed independent investigators.
- February 2025The Supreme Court upheld the murder ruling.
Sources
- Cyprus Mail — Thanasis Nicolaou was strangled, judge rules cyprus-mail.com ↗
- Cyprus Mail — Supreme court confirms Thanasis Nicolaou's death was murder cyprus-mail.com ↗
- Neos Kosmos — After 19 years, Nicolaou's death ruled a murder neoskosmos.com ↗
- Cyprus Mail
- Neos Kosmos
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.