Russian national held in occupied north over alleged Zabounis murder link
Alexei Sokpa will remain in detention for at least six more days as investigations continue into his alleged links to the “Edik” network and the murder of Vangelis Zabounis.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Russian national Alexei Sokpa, 43, will remain in detention with the occupied north’s “authorities” for at least six more days after a “court” renewed his detention order.
Sokpa is wanted by Greek police in connection with the murder of Vangelis Zabounis and his alleged role in the “Edik” criminal network.
Ongoing investigation
A “police officer” requested that Sokpa remain in custody, citing continuing investigative work, including the examination of camera footage and the possibility that he may have committed other offences in the occupied north.
Philenews reported that a request has been submitted through the bicommunal team for Sokpa to be handed over to the Republic of Cyprus through the United Nations.
Alleged links to Greek murder case
Sokpa appears in videos published in Greece that purportedly show him as one of Zabounis’s killers. He had been living in the occupied north since July 31, 2025, and reportedly used uncontrolled crossing points to enter the Republic of Cyprus.
He was arrested in the occupied north on a charge of illegally entering a military zone. Greek police, ELAS, are seeking him over the murder of Zabounis, who was shot dead in January 2024 in an attack linked to a criminal network smuggling tobacco products led by “Edik,” who was arrested in Dubai in July.
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