Suspect in Vangelis Zambounis murder arrested in occupied Cyprus

Alexey Shokpa, a 43-year-old Russian national suspected of the January 2024 assassination of Vangelis Zambounis in Athens, was arrested on August 24, 2026, in Agios Amvrosios, located in the northern occupied territories of Cyprus. Known by the alias "Chinese," the suspect had been evading authorities for 389 days while residing illegally in the region. He recently appeared before a local court, where he faces charges related to illegal stay and unauthorized entry into military restricted zones.

Investigations led by the Greek Police utilized recovered security footage from a hideout in Aspropyrgos, which depicted the suspect and another individual disposing of weapons used in the high-profile murder. Shokpa reportedly admitted to crossing illegally between the northern territories and the Republic of Cyprus during July 2026.

Authorities are now coordinating efforts to clarify his activities within the free areas of Cyprus. There is anticipation that the Republic of Cyprus will mediate his extradition to Greece through the bicommunal technical committee on crime, as the suspect remains a key figure in the investigation into the Greek Mafia.