A New Chapter in the Thanasis Nicolaou Case
The protracted saga of Thanasis Nicolaou’s death reached a pivotal milestone as the third coroner’s inquest delivered a murder verdict, ruling that the National Guardsman, who died in 2005 at the age of 26, was indeed a victim of homicide by strangulation. This latest development in the high-profile case has been a source of solace for the Nicolaou family, who have been steadfast in their pursuit of justice for nearly two decades.
Their unwavering conviction that Thanasis’ death was not a suicide as initially concluded has finally been vindicated. The family’s relentless efforts, which included appeals and the exhumation of Nicolaou’s remains, culminated in the judge’s decisive ruling on May 10.
The criminal investigator involved in the case stated that the investigation was thorough and objective. Savvas Matsas, who worked alongside Antonis Alexopoulos, shared with philenews their satisfaction with the outcome. “We reached our conclusions without any influence, and our findings are included in the report we submitted to the Attorney General for further action,” Matsas said.
With the cause of death now officially determined, the focus shifts to identifying suspects based on the evidence. Matsas underscored that while the ruling confirms the involvement of murderers, convicting them requires incontrovertible proof.
The Nicolaou family is not resting on its laurels; they are preparing to launch private criminal prosecutions against those implicated in mishandling the initial investigation. Despite the Attorney General’s reluctance to pursue criminal charges, he has signaled he will not obstruct the family’s private legal actions.
Matsas highlighted the scientific rigor of the coroner’s inquest and urged for a competent and incorruptible team to be assembled for a thorough reexamination of the case. He expressed hope that new information or evidence might emerge, enabling the prosecution of those responsible for Thanasis Nicolaou’s untimely death.
