Nicosia, Cyprus. A man serving a 35-year prison sentence for multiple attempted murders and previously convicted of rape has received a presidential pardon and suspension of his sentence, allowing his release after about six years in custody.
The pardon for Charalambos Chrysanthou, known as Hamburger, was granted with the consent of attorney-general George Savvides and deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides, according to Reporter.
Sentences and convictions
Chrysanthou was sentenced by the Larnaca and Famagusta permanent criminal courts in July 2020 after admitting 24 charges arising from two separate attempted murder cases involving five victims in Larnaca and Ayia Napa.
Two months earlier, he had also been sentenced to five years in prison for the rape and assault of a woman in Paphos.
Conditions of release
As part of the conditions attached to the suspension of his sentence, Chrysanthou was required to leave Cyprus by July 1 and is barred from returning until 2040.
Without the suspension, his prison sentence would have expired in 2055.
Witness programme
Reporter said the decision forms part of the witness programme operated by the drugs squad, Ykan, under which convicted offenders may receive sentence reductions or suspensions in exchange for providing evidence against co-defendants in criminal proceedings.
Cases involved
The offences for which Chrysanthou was sentenced included conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, illegal possession and transportation of firearms, and drug offences.
One case concerned the attempted murder of Constantinos Charalambous, known as Mavros, in Larnaca on November 27, 2019.
The second related to a shooting at a café in Ayia Napa on February 16, 2020, in which a businessman was allegedly targeted while four patrons were injured.
