Filenews 29 October 2022 - by Fanis Makridis
The perpetrators of the murder that took place the other night in the Central Prison showed unprecedented fury. This is indicated by the body of 41-year-old Turkish Cypriot prisoner Tansu Cidan. His body, as shown by the first examinations carried out by the authorities, had external injuries, bruises and possibly fractures. He had also been severely hit in the face, and based on his injuries, it is possible that an object was used during the commission of the crime.
In other words, it seems that the 41-year-old was brutally beaten to death. Of course, safe conclusions were expected to be drawn after the autopsy and autopsy procedure that was to be carried out by the forensic scientists of the Republic.
Late yesterday afternoon, eight arrest warrants were issued for persons held in the same wing as the victim. Earlier yesterday, a statement from the Prison Department noted that persons of Turkish origin and a Syrian had been identified by the officer in charge of the wing where the victim was being held. These prisoners are serving prison sentences for various offences. The Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou, in his statements to the media after the end of yesterday's student parade for the anniversary of October 28, spoke about the existence of evidence and testimonies, giving the impression that it was only a matter of time before arrest warrants were issued.
In its announcement yesterday, the Prisons Department informed that in cooperation with the Police, it was examining the CCTV of the wing. The Prisons Department also reported that searches were carried out in two cells that remain closed and guarded by prison guards.
Regarding the time when the murder was committed, it appears from the fact reports of the prison staff that during the last scheduled count at 17:06 (27/10), the prisoner was present. He had no external injuries, nor had he reported anything to the jailers. The same was seen during the patrol that preceded it, when prison guards talked to the murdered man.
The 41-year-old Turkish Cypriot staff were reportedly informed of the death of the 41-year-old Turkish Cypriot at 21:15 (27/10). As highlighted in the communication, the energy protocols were activated and the necessary measures were taken. The medical officer was immediately called to the scene and at the same time efforts were made to resuscitate the 41-year-old, until the arrival of the ambulance that transported him to Nicosia General Hospital. The Police were informed about the incident at 21:55, while members of the Agios Dometios police station and the Nicosia ICF went to the public hospital shortly afterwards. The forensic pathologists were there late at night, conducting an autopsy. The director of the Prisons Department, Anna Aristotelous, appointed an investigating officer to conduct an internal investigation.
Tansu Cidan had been sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of 650 g. methamphetamine aimed at procurement. The offence was committed on 8/4/2022. On 20/4/2022, when he was arrested, a pistol, an air gun and a number of pistol bullets had been located at his home in Nicosia. Cidan on 20/4/2007 had been sentenced to three years in prison in England for extortion with the aim of collecting a debt of £1,500. Moreover, in December 2021 he was suspected of an armed attack against another person in Kyrenia. He then allegedly fled to the Republic-controlled areas.
