The Supreme Court of Cyprus has unanimously rejected forensic examiner Panikkos Stavrianou’s request to annul the ruling of coroner Doria Varosiotou, which concluded that the death of National Guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou resulted from strangulation. The court stated that it could not overturn its previous ruling, which was deemed final by the Full Bench on December 18.

The findings of the criminal investigators are expected to be released by March 7.

This report will clarify the circumstances of Nicolaou’s death and determine whether there were any official failures or misconduct in the initial investigation into his cause of death.

A mother’s fight for justice

Thanasis Nicolaou left Melbourne to serve in the Cypriot armed forces, only to be murdered. His death was initially ruled a suicide, but years of relentless campaigning by his mother, Andriana Nicolaou, led to the revelation that he was, in fact, a victim of homicide.

On Sunday, February 23, the anniversary of his birth, Andriana shared an emotional tribute to her son on social media:

“On this day, my beloved child, †Thanasis, you came into my life. You shone like a diamond, illuminating my world with your virtues and gifts. You grew up so fast, and I didn’t even realize it. I had an earthly angel in my home and in my life. I saw it every day in your rare character and your spiritual and moral purity.”

She recounted the day of his birth in 1979 and expressed her sorrow that he never got to fulfill his dreams.

“You would have been 46 years old today, my sweet boy, with a beautiful family, just as you had always envisioned. But they didn’t let you live, they didn’t let you achieve the dreams you had before we returned from Australia.”

A soldier’s struggle

Nicolaou, eager to serve his parents’ homeland, joined the military with pride, unaware of the dangers that lay ahead. During his training, he never complained, but once he was assigned to his unit, he confided in his family that he had been placed in the worst possible environment, surrounded by dangerous individuals.

His mother advised him to keep his distance from troublemakers, but as time went on, his concerns grew.

According to testimonies from officers, Nicolaou had repeatedly reported issues and requested a transfer, fearing for his safety. Despite his pleas, no action was taken to protect him.

One day, deeply distressed, he begged his mother for help:

“Mum, please, do something to get me out of there! There are bad people who do terrible things!”

She encouraged him to speak with his commander, but he refused, fearing retaliation. When she offered to intervene, he pleaded with her not to, terrified of the consequences.

The night before his death

The night before his tragic death, Nicolaou had a heated altercation with troublemakers in his unit. Overcoming his fear of retaliation, he finally reported the situation to his commanding officer, who escalated the matter to the chief of staff.

According to testimony, the chief of staff reassured Nicolaou that he would soon be discharged and advised him to be patient. He even suggested they meet regularly in his office “for coffee and conversation.”

Feeling a false sense of security, Nicolaou let his guard down. The next day, he was found dead.

A systemic cover-up

His mother’s post goes on to highlight the long fight for justice, accusing authorities of covering up the truth: “You were right, my love, when you told me you feared retaliation if you spoke out. They silenced you to keep their dirty secrets hidden.

The moment the crime occurred, your commander and two others came to our home, asking us over and over again what you had told us the night before. They wanted to know if we knew what you had reported.

They took your life and destroyed ours. For 20 years, we battled bureaucracy and a corrupt system just to prove what was clear from the start.

They ignored the evidence, the findings, the testimonies—until we exhumed you, and you spoke the truth with your silent testimony. The marks on your body told us everything. You were brutally beaten and finished off by strangulation.”

As the official findings near completion, Nicolaou’s family continues to seek justice for their son, whose life was taken too soon. The coming weeks may finally provide the answers they have long fought to uncover.