Tomb raiding points to ‘at risk’ trial witness

Police are investigating an apparent grave robbery in rural Nicosia, with reports suggesting a raided tomb at a Catholic cemetery could be linked to possible intimidation against a person in the witness protection program.

Local media said visitors at a Maronite cemetery in Agious Trimithias, Nicosia district, were shocked Tuesday when they spotted an open grave.

Staff at the cemetery immediately notified police around noon, with law enforcement officers from various units rushing to the scene and cordoning off a large area.

Local media said the grave belonged to a woman, whose son was expected to testify in a criminal trial. Reports said the man, who was said to be in the witness protection program, had been convicted on drug charges after he was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to 16 years behind bars.

Police spokesperson Christos Andreou confirmed reports that the grave belonged to a woman but declined to comment on any links between the incident and organized crime.

"It appears that some bones have been removed but this has not yet been established," Andreou said, adding that forensic pathologists and an anthropologist were expected on site Wedneday morning.

Additional reports on Thursday morning said the perpetrators poured acid on the grave, with investigators estimating the alleged incident took place up to 48 hours earlier.

It was later established that no remains had been removed from the burial site.