Athens, March 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The body of former Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos, which was stolen from his grave three months back, has been finally laid to rest in the capital Nicosia, local TV said Friday.

Thieves broke into the grave and took the body Dec 11 last year, just a day before the first death anniversary of the former president.

The remains were found March 8 and reburied at another cemetery in Nicosia. The president's identity was confirmed by a DNA test.

An Indian and two Cypriots were arrested for the theft. The detainees admitted stealing the body for ransom.

The theft is believed to have been masterminded by a serial killer who has already been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of two women, but escaped from jail.

Papadopoulos died of lung cancer in Nicosia in 2008 at the age of 74. He served as president from 2003 until February 2008, when he lost his bid for reelection. He oversaw the Republic of Cyprus's entry into the European Union in 2004.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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