Larnaca, Cyprus. Larnaca police said on Friday that no internal disciplinary investigation is being carried out into the death of a Congolese national who jumped from a balcony during an immigration raid.
Police statement
Larnaca police chief Ioannis Kapnoullas said the case is being examined only through standard judicial procedures for deaths under such circumstances. He said that when a death occurs, a file is opened, statements are taken and the case is brought before a court through an investigation.
“No internal investigation is being conducted in this sense, but rather an investigation into a case of unnatural death is being conducted,” he said. Officers involved in the operation are giving statements as part of the case file, he added.
Death during operation
The 45-year-old man, identified as Christian Ndmjomjo, died after sustaining severe head injuries when he jumped from a third-floor balcony during an operation by the immigration service in Larnaca earlier this week.
Police said he was an asylum seeker whose application had been rejected and that he was residing in Cyprus illegally.
According to police, three people attempted to escape during the operation by jumping from the building. Two others suffered serious injuries but survived.
Entry into the building
Kapnoullas said the operation did not involve forced entry into private apartments. He said no warrants were used to enter apartments and that checks were carried out on people moving in the building’s common areas.
