Arrest Process of the Russian Suspect
On January 14, 2024, Alexey Shokpa, a 43-year-old Russian national wanted as the prime suspect in the murder of Vangelis Zampounis, a member of the “Greek Mafia,” was apprehended in the Esentepe area while being sought under a Red Notice. Following a tip-off, a raid was carried out in Esentepe, leading to Shokpa’s arrest, and he was presented before the Lefkoşa court yesterday.
Shokpa faces charges of violating a military restricted zone and residing unlawfully within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) borders. The court has ordered that the suspect remain in police custody for an additional 6 days; however, it was reported that the extradition process has not yet commenced. This situation necessitates further information to be gathered regarding his case.
Details of the Investigation
The police stated that Shokpa was identified at his address in Esentepe during an operation conducted on August 24. The investigation revealed that the suspect had been unlawfully present in the TRNC for a total of 389 days since July 31, 2025. Currently, authorities are investigating whether the suspect committed any offenses during his time here.
During the interrogation process, it was mentioned that the suspect had crossed over into South Cyprus from Kouyson Beach and further returned to the TRNC from the same area in July 2026. However, police remain determined to gather more details regarding Shokpa’s presence and activities in the region.
At the request of the police, the court approved an extension of the suspect’s custody for an additional 6 days for the sake of the investigation’s integrity. As of now, there have been no developments concerning the extradition process.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
