Official police statements regarding arrest of 47-year-old
police
24 May 2020
/ 16:49
CORFU. Statements from Corfu Police Chief Yiannoulis and Ionian Islands Regional Police Press Officer Konstantis.
Official statement from the Ionian Islands Regional Police regarding yesterday's arrest of the 47-year-old man accused of raping a 34-year-old woman in Lefkimmi.
Statements were made by Corfu Police Chief Yiannoulis and Ionian Islands Regional Police Press Officer Konstantis.
Statement from Corfu Police Chief Mathaios Yiannoulis
"On the evening of Saturday 23 May, in an organised police operation, Corfu Police officers arrested the Greek man for whom there was an arrest warrant for the kidnap and rape of a woman of foreign nationality on the night of 5 May.
The woman, whose disappearance was reported by her partner and who was found by a Lefkimmi police patrol car on the morning of 9 May, reported that the accused man forced her to go with him to a wooded area in Lefkimmi on the night of Tuesday 5 May and then repeatedly raped her at knifepoint and forced her to commit other indecent acts.
There was a police manhunt in the area around Lefkimmi over several days with over 100 police officers and using all available technical means which resulted in the discovery and arrest of the man yesterday evening by the Special Crime Prevention Team along with police dogs and officers from Lefkimmi police station.
When the accused spotted the police ready to ambush him in a wooded area in Paleohori, Lefkimmi, he tried to escape and jumped into a crevass, injuring his limbs and spine.
The land area around the spot was immediately ringed off by at least 50 officers and the assistance of Corfu Coastguard was also requested as the coastline was precipitous there.
With the assistance of Corfu Fire Department and the Ambulance Service the man was pulled out and taken to Corfu Hospital, where he is now hospitalised.
I would like to congratulate all the police officers for their efforts and the endeavour they showed throughout the search as well as their professionalism at all stages of this difficult operation. They worked in difficult conditions for many days in the woods, often facing great personal danger.
Finally, I would like to thanks the personnel from Corfu Coastguard and the Fire Department for their contribution to the operation as well as Corfu Hunting Association and the voluntary Hellenic Rescue Team for their brave and impeccable voluntary assistance."
Statement from Ionian Islands Regional Police Press Officer Giorgos Konstantis
"From searches carried out in the wider area around the location where the accused was found and from a search of his person police found, amongst other items, a single-barreled shotgun, two cartridges, knives, pocket knives and survival equipment.
He was found in possession of a pouch with two mobile phones and nearby the following were found and seized:
- Single-barreled shotgun which was loaded with cartridges and ready for use.
- Another cartridge
- Two knives with wooden handles and two pocket knives with 15 - 20cm blades
- 4 PowerBanks
- 2 screwdrivers
- Oil lamp, small spotlight and rechargeable torch
- solar panel with cables to charge mobile phones
- 3 phone chargers
- A small sum of money
- Camouflage backpack and sleeping bag
- Another mobile phone and clothing
Corfu Police are conducting the interrogation and the charges against him have been passed to the Corfu Prosecutor."
Statements were made by Corfu Police Chief Yiannoulis and Ionian Islands Regional Police Press Officer Konstantis.
Statement from Corfu Police Chief Mathaios Yiannoulis
"On the evening of Saturday 23 May, in an organised police operation, Corfu Police officers arrested the Greek man for whom there was an arrest warrant for the kidnap and rape of a woman of foreign nationality on the night of 5 May.
The woman, whose disappearance was reported by her partner and who was found by a Lefkimmi police patrol car on the morning of 9 May, reported that the accused man forced her to go with him to a wooded area in Lefkimmi on the night of Tuesday 5 May and then repeatedly raped her at knifepoint and forced her to commit other indecent acts.
There was a police manhunt in the area around Lefkimmi over several days with over 100 police officers and using all available technical means which resulted in the discovery and arrest of the man yesterday evening by the Special Crime Prevention Team along with police dogs and officers from Lefkimmi police station.
When the accused spotted the police ready to ambush him in a wooded area in Paleohori, Lefkimmi, he tried to escape and jumped into a crevass, injuring his limbs and spine.
The land area around the spot was immediately ringed off by at least 50 officers and the assistance of Corfu Coastguard was also requested as the coastline was precipitous there.
With the assistance of Corfu Fire Department and the Ambulance Service the man was pulled out and taken to Corfu Hospital, where he is now hospitalised.
I would like to congratulate all the police officers for their efforts and the endeavour they showed throughout the search as well as their professionalism at all stages of this difficult operation. They worked in difficult conditions for many days in the woods, often facing great personal danger.
Finally, I would like to thanks the personnel from Corfu Coastguard and the Fire Department for their contribution to the operation as well as Corfu Hunting Association and the voluntary Hellenic Rescue Team for their brave and impeccable voluntary assistance."
Statement from Ionian Islands Regional Police Press Officer Giorgos Konstantis
"From searches carried out in the wider area around the location where the accused was found and from a search of his person police found, amongst other items, a single-barreled shotgun, two cartridges, knives, pocket knives and survival equipment.
He was found in possession of a pouch with two mobile phones and nearby the following were found and seized:
- Single-barreled shotgun which was loaded with cartridges and ready for use.
- Another cartridge
- Two knives with wooden handles and two pocket knives with 15 - 20cm blades
- 4 PowerBanks
- 2 screwdrivers
- Oil lamp, small spotlight and rechargeable torch
- solar panel with cables to charge mobile phones
- 3 phone chargers
- A small sum of money
- Camouflage backpack and sleeping bag
- Another mobile phone and clothing
Corfu Police are conducting the interrogation and the charges against him have been passed to the Corfu Prosecutor."
