TEPAK fraud suspect released

A LIMASSOL court on Thursday ordered the release of a suspect arrested last week in connection with financial offenses relating to the management of buildings used by the technical university, after police failed to convince the judge to extend his detention.

A second suspect, 66-year-old Andreas Malloupas, the former head of TEPAK’s administration and finance, was released by police who said they have concluded their investigation into his case.

However, authorities asked for an extension of the remand order concerning Zenon Achillides, 44, head of the university’s property management, because the investigation was still ongoing and he could influence witnesses if set free.

The defence disagreed with the request, arguing that police had spent their time mainly investigating Malloupas and not his client.

The court rejected the police request, saying they had not provided satisfactory explanation on why the investigation was not finished. The court said the time at the disposal of the investigators had not been used properly.

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