Former Defense Minister Costas Papacostas who is being treated at Nicosia General Hospital after collapsing Tuesday afternoon is under guard by prison jailers of the Central Prisons.
Assize court found him as well as other three persons, guilty, for the deaths of 13 people killed in the naval base “Evangelos Florakis” munitions blast on July 11, 2011.
Papacostas was found guilty of manslaughter, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He was found to have direct responsibility over the safe-keeping of the munitions.
Papacostas, age 74, suffered an aneurysm about two years ago and has had ongoing heart problems.
Medical Director of Nicosia General Hospita Evagoras Nikolaides told CNA that Papacostas is hospitalized for observation.
In addition, Minister of Health Petros Petrides told CNA Papacostas was taken to Nicosia General Hospital with hypertensive crisis and receives the necessary treatment. He added that he was informed right away for the incident by the authorities of the Hospital.
Director of Central Prisons George Trifonides in statements to CNA that Papacostas as a man in custody is under guard according to the law
