Cyprus coordinates with Greece over Russian suspect held in occupied north
Cyprus and Greece are coordinating efforts to secure the transfer of Russian national Alexei Sokpa, wanted in Greece over alleged organised crime links and a murder case.
Nicosia, Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus has assumed responsibility for the case of 43-year-old Russian national Alexei Sokpa, who is wanted by Greek authorities over his alleged role in the “Edik” ring and the murder of Vangelis Zabounis. He remains in custody in the occupied north.
Arrest and coordination
Sokpa was arrested last Monday by “police” of the self-proclaimed “TRNC” during an operation in Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia, on suspicion of illegally entering a military zone.
Cyprus and Greek police have been coordinating on the case from the outset. According to cross-checked information obtained by philenews, efforts are focused on the special bicommunal team involving the Republic of Cyprus and the “TRNC”.
The team handles such cases through an informal United Nations channel for the transfer of people suspected of criminal offences.
Bicommunal committee
Former Police Chief Kypros Michaelides, the Greek Cypriot side’s central figure on the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Crime, has reportedly been briefed on Sokpa’s circumstances and conveyed the Cypriot side’s request.
The possible use of the informal cooperation mechanism to transfer Sokpa to Greece is supported by previous cases, according to the report.
Previous case
A previous case involved 36-year-old Daniel Yehonatan Zarug, who was wanted by Israeli authorities as a suspect in a deadly ambush in Ashdod on March 24, 2024.
Zarug was arrested in the occupied north a year earlier and was handed over to the Republic of Cyprus through the United Nations following coordination by the bicommunal team.
A philenews source said the possibility of Sokpa being handed over to Turkey should not be ruled out.
Detention order
The detention order issued by a “TRNC” “court” against Sokpa on August 25 was due to expire on Wednesday, when the intentions of the occupied north’s “authorities” were expected to become clearer.
Sokpa is reported to have been active in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, where “Edik” was said to have expanded his activities through local operatives.
According to testimony given by “police” before the “court” last Tuesday, Sokpa told investigators that he entered government-controlled areas through the area near the illegal Tymbou airport and returned to the occupied north through the same area in July 2026.
“Police” said he had been living in the occupied north without a permit for 389 days, since July 31, 2025.
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