A man escaped police custody on Friday afternoon while being returned to Nicosia Central Prisons following a court appearance.
The suspect, who faced drug-related charges, was transferred to the Nicosia District Court earlier in the day. While being escorted back to prison by officers, he managed to evade capture, according to police.
Initial reports indicate that the suspect’s handcuffs were removed before he could be handed over to prison authorities within the prison courtyard. He then allegedly took advantage of a momentary lapse in attention and disappeared into a crowd visiting the prison cemetery.
An alarm was raised immediately, and a search operation involving police and prison officials is currently underway in the vicinity of the prison.
Authorities have also ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the escape.
