Akel presses government on murderer’s permits to leave prison
Akel on Saturday called on the justice minister to clarify whether convict-for-life Doros Theofanous received privileged treatment, as he was reportedly granted permits to leave prison for theatre visits.
Theofanous was jailed for life in 2012 after he murdered his 24-year-old pregnant partner and her three-year-old daughter.
Akel cited press reports which claimed the convict was granted leave since 2019, violating prison rules that required him to serve 10 years before such perks.
A Phileleftheros article suggested Theofanous was even allowed to go to the theatre with guards, and even had a relationship with a female convict.
It claimed he had proposed on two different occasions.
“This raises the question of if there were visits within the prison, and if she was granted leave. If so, what were the reasons and where was she taken?”
According to the report, the woman had even gone to Theofanous’ village home in Choletria, Paphos.
Akel sought answers “as soon as possible” as to who approved the leave, how many lifers were allowed leave in the past five years and why.
“Who guarded them, with what criteria are they selected and what training do they have?”
