Thanasis Nicolaou’s mother publishes expert reports proving son’s death was murder
Source: in-cyprus.com
The mother of murdered national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou has published forensic evidence conclusions on social media, revealing previously undisclosed expert findings that she says definitively prove her son was strangled in 2005.
Andriana Nicolaou posted selected conclusions from reports by credible scientists she consulted abroad regarding her son’s death, stating some findings may not have been made public previously.
The reports include conclusions from expert Koutsaftis, who conducted the exhumation, issued after studying the anthropologist’s report, and pathologist Karagianni, who examined the hyoid bone following specialised analysis.
Expert medical assessment challenges official findings
A medical report by forensic expert Manolis Gavalas, dated February 11, 2010, concluded the case was “medico-legally bizarre” as “the figures do not add up well.”
The report stated: “There are significant internal injuries to show that the body was subjected to a ferocious insult but little evidence of sufficient external trauma as one would have definitely expected to see in a case of a fall from a significant height.”
Gavalas noted he was “strongly believe that other mechanisms of trauma would have been far more likely than a fall from such height in causing Mr Athanasios Nicolaou’s death” and was “disturbed with the assumption by the examining authorities in this case that only a fall from a height could have caused these injuries.”
Forensic evidence details
Nicolaou stated that photographic evidence clearly shows “Thanasis was strangled” with airways closed, causing death by asphyxiation through pressure on the neck whilst simultaneously being beaten with blunt instruments that leave no external injuries but only internal fractures.
The evidence reveals “dilated pupils” of the victim and neck trauma from “ruthless murderers,” according to the social media post. Sand was found in the victim’s mouth despite being found face-up without water flow in the river.
Nicolaou challenged official claims about river conditions, stating that if water had been flowing, it would have carried away the wallet and glasses found positioned beside the body. “They were not swept away, yet they are not ashamed to mock people claiming the river was supposedly flowing and that is why sand entered his mouth,” she wrote.
Potential full disclosure
Nicolaou indicated she may decide to publish complete reports if necessary and if her lawyers agree, suggesting more detailed evidence remains undisclosed.
The social media post included strong criticism of unnamed individuals she described as “paid parrots” creating scandals as “the situation has reached a breaking point and they do not know where to turn.”
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The Thanasis Nicolaou death case
Thanasis Nicolaou, a 26-year-old dual Greek Cypriot-Australian citizen, was found dead under Alassa bridge in 2005. Initial investigations ruled his death suicide, but forensic evidence emerged following 2020 exhumation revealing a broken hyoid bone indicating strangulation.
Judge Doria Varoshiotou ruled in May 2024 that Nicolaou died from strangulation due to criminal activity, overturning 19 years of official suicide verdicts. The case involved allegations of military bullying and cover-up attempts.
The revelations come as criminal investigations continue into both the murder and alleged cover-up involving multiple officials and institutions over nearly two decades.
Andriana Nicolaou’s campaign for justice spanning 19 years included persistent advocacy outside government buildings and courts, ultimately leading to the exhumation and forensic re-examination that supported her long-held belief that her son was murdered.
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