Man in custody escapes through jail window

A man is wanted by police after he reportedly escaped from jail in Nicosia, following his arrest on misdemeanor charges and reportedly making threats against a priest in Famagusta district.

Police said 30-year-old Stefanos Ioannou managed to escape from jail on Tuesday, with local media saying he was being held at Omorfita station in Nicosia where he was taken after a complaint was filed in Famagusta district on charges of malicious damages to property and making threats against a local priest.

Reports suggested the metal screen of a window had been breached at Omorfita station but it was not fully clear whether it was in his holding cell or another room or bathroom.

Officers at the station reportedly got wind of the escape around 8pm, when an officer went to carry out a routine check.

Law enforcement authorities published Ioannou’s photo and asked the public for help regarding his whereabouts. The charges on his current arrest warrant included fleeing from lawful detention and property destruction, with both offenses relating to his alleged escape.

Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou has requested a report regarding the escape incident.

It was not clear why Ioannou was being held in Nicosia but a communications officer told Knews persons in custody are routinely transferred to other locations due to capacity issues.

Additional reports said the suspect was under a local priest's care in Famagusta but no further details were immediately known.