Larnaca police director Yiannis Kapnoullas defended the actions of officers involved in Wednesday’s large‑scale operation, describing the fatal incident as the result of an unpredictable act by the victim. “He jumped before officers even approached him,” he said.
Kapnoullas confirmed in radio statements that the operation was carried out without search warrants for the apartments. However, he said the 22 arrests of foreign nationals were made in the building’s corridors, where, according to him, no warrant is required. He added that officers did not enter any apartments or break down doors.
One of the three individuals who attempted to flee died later that night from severe head injuries sustained during the fall. Police were still working on Thursday to establish the victim’s identity. Investigations showed that the individual had fallen from a fourth‑ or fifth‑floor balcony into an uncovered area of the building.
Kapnoullas rejected any suggestion that officers used force, insisting that the operation – aimed at identifying individuals residing illegally in Cyprus – was conducted in line with procedures and involved both uniformed and plain‑clothes officers.
He said the three individuals involved, described as being of African origin, jumped from balconies before police reached their apartments, landing on protruding second‑floor terraces. The incident occurred during a coordinated operation by the Aliens and Immigration Service at the complex, which consists of five blocks.
“In operations like these all necessary measures are taken and risks are assessed, but there is always the unpredictable. No one expects someone to suddenly decide to jump from the fourth or fifth floor. I question how such an act could be prevented,” he said.
He added that once injuries were reported, police immediately suspended the operation to focus on rescue efforts. The two other individuals, aged 27 and 38, are being treated for orthopaedic injuries and are out of danger. One has undergone surgery for an arm injury, while the other remains in hospital for precautionary reasons.
Kapnoullas said that in any case involving a death, a file must be prepared and submitted to the coroner to determine whether procedures were followed.
Safety concerns at building
The Filanta complex has been under review for some time by the Larnaca District Organisation of Local Government due to structural and hygiene concerns.
The organisation’s president, Andreas Hadjicharalambous, said the building has more than 90 owners and is among 25 properties prioritised for safety inspections. The complex has long attracted the attention of local authorities and police due to safety risks, nuisance issues and cases of unlawful residence by foreign nationals.
