Enclaved man murdered, autopsy shows

UN POLICE said yesterday murder appeared to have been the cause of death of an elderly enclaved man, whose body was brought to the Republic from the Karpass Peninsula by UN personnel for an autopsy yesterday.

State Pathologist Sophoclis Sophocleous performed the post-mortem examination on the body of Ionannis Mantira, 85, of the Karpass, and said his death was due to “serious violence.”

MP and pathologist Marios Matsakis, at the request of Mantira’s family, assisted Sophocleous in the autopsy. Two UN doctors and UN police were also present throughout.

UN police said Mantira died from a beating that inflicted fatal injuries to his head. His death remains under investigation.

Approximately 500 enclaved Greek Cypriots, mostly elderly, live in the Karpass Peninsula.