Cyprus double murderer caught
2009-01-05 22:39
Nicosia - An escaped convict serving life for raping and killing two foreign women was captured by Cyprus police on Monday following the island's largest ever manhunt, authorities said.
Police said they arrested Antonis Kitas at a residence in the southern coastal town of Paralimni following a tip-off nearly a month after his daring escape.
According to state radio, the fugitive was arrested by the anti-terrorist squad at the home of a relative, who was also apprehended, and taken to Paralimni police station under heavy security.
His escape from a private clinic where he had reportedly been living a life of luxury caused public outrage and led to the resignation of justice minister Kypros Chrsysotomides last month.
The Cyprus cabinet also launched an independent probe into the scandal over the convict known as Al Capone, who fled the private clinic in a hail of gunfire on December 12.
Public outcry
President Demetris Christofias even suggested that there were "rotten apples" in the police force to enable Al Capone to remain at large for so long.
At the time of his escape, Kitas had been living in the Nicosia clinic for six months, reportedly being treated for a gastro-intestinal ailment.
State radio reported that when police arrived at the clinic, they found the convict's prison security detail asleep.
There has been a public outcry after reports said he was given a luxury room which he shared with his Chinese wife during his stay, and roamed the clinic freely even though he was supposed to be under tight security.
Reportedly, Kitas also left the clinic during the evenings, prompting press speculation this was to make illicit deals and settle old gangland scores.
Eyebrows were also raised after the clinic said Kitas had paid for his stay with €23 000 in cash and, when it was suggested he be moved to a more secure room, the prison governor apparently rejected the proposal saying not having a decent view would "anger" the felon.
The prisoner governor and several guards have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of an inquiry.
Kitas was convicted of abducting, raping and murdering Ukrainian artiste Oxana Lisna, 20, and Swedish housewife Christina Ahfeldt, 28, in 1993.
- AFP