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Remains found in Tseri grave are those of Papadopoulos
Tassos Papadopoulos' daughter Anastasia in Tseri last night POLICE on Tuesday confirmed that the remains they found in a Nicosia cemetery on Monday night were those of former president Tassos Papadopoulos.
“A body was located in a cemetery in Nicosia, which, based on all indications so far, possibly belongs to former president Tassos Papadopoulos,” police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said on Monday night.
On Tuesday morning he confirmed. "There has been a DNA identification and the body indeed belongs to the former president," he added.
The identification process was carried out at the Cyprus Institute of Genetics and Neurology,
The body was discovered after a tip-off at a cemetery near Tseri, not too far from where he was originally buried in Deftera.
No more official information was immediately available though reports said the remains had been buried in an existing grave. CyBC said police were investigating the possibility the corpse had been transferred to the new cemetery in the past few days.
Police were also examining a phone box in the area, believed to be the one used to notify the authorities.
Police scoured the cemetery for clues while family members and close aides visited the scene.
Papadopoulos’ daughter Anastasia, his son Nicolas and wife Yiota and stepson Constantinos were seen leaving the cemetery visibly distraught.
Television stations interrupted regular programming to announce the news and show footage of the developments outside the cemetery.
Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Andis Tryfonides said he hoped the body belonged to Papadopoulos.
“This will put an end to the unspeakable agony Papadopoulos’ family is going through,” Tryfonides said.
Papadopoulos’ remains were dug up and stolen from his grave at the Deftera cemetery on December 11, 2009 on the eve of the first anniversary of his death.
The corpse was removed in torrential rain after the culprits shifted a granite slab and dug through several feet of earth.
No mechanical equipment was used to lift the 250kg granite slab lying over the tomb, or to dig deep into the muddy grave.
On reaching the coffin, the perpetrators were able to remove the body of Papadopoulos, leaving the coffin behind.
Cyprus sought the help of Scotland Yard, the FBI, Interpol, Greece and Israeli police. Many people were questioned and various leads followed but no breakthrough emerged until last night.
The family had previously denied receiving a ransom demand in return for the remains.
The gruesome act was widely reported around the world, on all major channels and news sites.
