Investigation into Tragic Balcony Fall Underway
In a recent turn of events, Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou Lottides has initiated an independent investigation into the tragic incident that led to the death of 24-year-old Anisur Rahman, a Bangladeshi national. Earlier this month, Rahman fell from a fifth-floor balcony during a police raid on his overcrowded Limassol apartment, which he shared with ten others.
The focus of Lottides’ inquiry is to determine if the police procedures during the raid were duly followed and whether there were any breaches of human rights. The NGO Kisa has challenged the police’s version of events, prompting further scrutiny. They allege that the police forcibly entered the apartment, breaking down the door and handcuffing residents amidst the chaos.
While the police maintain that they acted lawfully and had obtained consent before entering the premises, the NGO’s complaint has led to an internal probe by the independent authority responsible for investigating police conduct. Lottides has taken swift action by requesting all pertinent documents from the police chief to aid in her investigation.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi nationals who were detained during the raid have made allegations of abuse by the police, a claim that the police have vehemently denied. The issue is further complicated by the silence from the police regarding the landlord of the property, which was not only overcrowded but also reportedly located in a hazardous listed building and rented out for a substantial sum of €2,000.
As two parallel investigations proceed—one by the ombudswoman’s office and another by the independent authority—the truth behind this unfortunate incident awaits to be uncovered. The outcomes of these investigations are anticipated to shed light on the circumstances of Rahman’s death and potentially lead to reforms in how similar operations are conducted in the future.
