Police foil escape plan for high-profile convict

 

POLICE foiled a planned escape attempt this morning, when Andreas Onoufriou, 59, a convict serving time in state prison, was to be brought to the Supreme Court for a hearing.

According to police spokesman, Michalis Katsounotos, the police had been tipped off by an anonymous source that the escape plan would take place while the convict was being transferred to the Supreme Court in Nicosia.

“We took all the necessary measures to prevent the convict’s escape and to signal out his associates” said Katsounotos.

Police chief, Michalis Papageorgiou had instructed an elaborate action plan that included several members of the police force operating under cover in the area surrounding the court. 

According to the police report, a Greek-Cypriot was acting rather suspiciously in the area, and once he realised the presence of the police force, he approached the police officers and gave several details about the escape plan. The Greek-Cypriot was taken to the crime investigation unit offices, where he was interrogated.

Onoufriou was jailed in August 1998 for the attempted murder of judge Michalis Mavronikolas and his five-year-old daughter Marina in October 1996. 

The judge and his daughter were injured when a device exploded underneath his car. 

The bomb exploded as the judge approached his vehicle to take his daughter to school. 

However, in September 2003, Onoufriou, who claims he is innocent, was granted leave from central prison so that he could get married. 

He failed to return and was immediately declared a fugitive, but managed to remain at large for 16 days. Police arrested him in a car park in the Ayios Tychonas area. He was given an additional four years on to his 18-year-sentence. 

 

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