Published January 13, 2015
A Cyprus criminal court has found a former defense minister guilty of manslaughter in the explosion of confiscated Iranian munitions in 2011 that killed 13 people and wrecked his country's main power station.
The three-judge bench ruled Tuesday that Costas Papacostas failed to take action to prevent the detonation of some 80 gunpowder-filled containers. The containers had been left exposed to the elements at a naval base for more than two years.
Three top fire service officials were found guilty on Tuesday of the lesser charge of causing death through a reckless and dangerous act. Two other defendants, former Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou and ex-deputy National Guard Chief Savvas Argyrou, were acquitted of all charges.
Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Sentencing will occur on July 24.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/cyprus-court-finds-ex-defense-minister-convicted-of-manslaughter-in-naval-base-munitions-blast