By Charlie Charalambous
A BODY discovered off the Egyptian coast in June then later buried could solve the mystery of missing Cypriot architect Loizos Askanis.
But the reports have caused confusion and anxiety among Askanis’ relatives.
The family of Loizos Askanis, missing feared drowned since May 10, have been informed that Egyptian police are investigating whether the body found and buried could be his.
According to one local newspaper, the Egyptian authorities had sent a telegram to local police asking for further information on Askanis, 38, who went missing during a fatal fishing trip.
But police spokesman Glafcos Xenos yesterday told the Cyprus Mail the article was not correct, and it was the Cyprus authorities which had contacted Egypt’s Interpol branch for information on the body.
“We are requesting if DNA samples were taken and if proper procedures were followed before the body was buried,” Xenos said.
He said the Cypriot embassy in Egypt had tipped off police that the body found a month after the accident had been buried.
“We now want to establish if it is that of Askanis.” The body might now have to be exhumed to establish its identity.
Egypt was one of the countries in the region notified by the authorities of Askanis’ disappearance as it was hoped he might have been picked up by a passing ship.
Antonis Askanis, the victim’s brother, said yesterday he was told by Paphos police that the Egyptians had contacted Cyprus first. But he told the Cyprus Mail he was baffled why it had taken the Egyptians so long to inform Cyprus police, as the body in question was discovered in June.
“I don’t know why it took the Egyptian authorities so long or whether it has anything to do with my brother.”
Antonis, a building contractor added: “I’m hoping to have more information by next week.”
The boating accident also took the life of 12-year old Marios Kyriacou, who drowned.
Of the three who set off on the fishing trip in Paphos, only the boy’s father, Michalis Kyriacou, survived. They had been in the sea for more than ten hours and Loizos Askanis had not been wearing a life jacket.
The boat, the 18ft Chrysanthi, has never been located.
The father and son were found floating in the sea by a fisherman off Paphos at around 6am the following morning, but there was no sign of Askanis.
His brother believes the police response to the initial call for help from the family has been too slow.
