President fires police chief over Mitseros case

Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou has been relieved of his duties following a meeting he had with the President to brief him on the Mitseros serial killer case.

(Click here for an update to the story)

President Nicos Anastasiades fired Chrysostomou on Friday in a letter citing a number of reasons in connection with the Mitseros murders, including the failure by police to take missing women’s cases seriously and possibly prevent some of them falling into the hands of a serial killer.

In his letter, the president also said he took made his decision after taking into consideration the resignation of Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou a day earlier, which he accepted, citing the principle that a superior ought to assume responsibility to restore honour even if there is no personal blame.

“I took this unpleasant decision to terminate your services as Cyprus Police Chief. Nevertheless, I cannot overlook the work you have accomplished during your tenure, and for that I thank you very much,” the president wrote.

Chrysostomou’s last official day at his post will be May 7, according to the letter he received on Friday.