Friends say goodbye to Ioannis at Limassol pier

Friends of 18-year-old Ioannis Asikkis, who died Thursday of a drug overdose, were to meet Friday evening at Limassol’s pier to say goodbye on what would have been his 18th birthday. 

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Ioannis, from Mouttayiaka, was fighting for his life when he died in hospital Thursday, four days after he reportedly overdosed on drugs and just one day shy of his 18th birthday.

Three men are in custody and another man is wanted by police in connection with the teen's death, with the suspects facing manslaughter and illict drug charges.

Reports say Ioannis paid €20 for his drugs, including what is believed to be ecstasy. After he got high, he reportedly went to meet up with his friends in a public space in Mouttayiaka where he collapsed.

He was initially rushed to Limassol General Hospital on Sunday, following a heart attack due to a drug overdose. He was then transferred to Nicosia General due to his critical condition, where he remained in a coma and took his last breath Thursday afternoon.

An autopsy revealed that Ioannis was high on drugs when he went into a coma on Sunday and later died of multiple organ failure Thursday.

It is not clear whether Ioannis had any other health condition.

Cops conducted a raid Monday evening at a cafeteria in Trachoni, where they spotted one of the suspects, a 28-year-old Syrian national, who matched the description given to police. Two others were also arrested and then re-arrested Friday on new charges.

The 28-year-old had in his possession 8.5 grams of cannabis, 9 grams of mdma capsules also known as “Molly”, 19.5 grams of cannabis resin known as hashish, according to police, who also confiscated a precision digital scale.

Ioannis’ friends reportedly will meet at Molos pier at the Limassol seafront, wearing white T-shirts, where they will release balloons in the sky in their mate’s memory.

Family and friends said Ioannis was a well-loved kid and always eager to help others.