A dangerous fugitive being hunted by police has contacted his family to protest his innocence and declare that he won’t hand himself in.
Earlier this week, Police Scotland issued a plea to the public for help in tracing Andreas Garifalou, which also carried a warning not to approach him.
The 31-year-old hit the headlines in November last year when Karine Corner – the mother of his two children – claimed he had kidnapped them from their gran’s house in Coatbridge.
The children, aged eight and three, were returned to Karine three days after the case was reported by the Daily Record, but police have been trying to track down Garifalou since November 23.
Garifalou’s sister Sandra Garifalou contacted the Record following a police appeal earlier this week and said her brother intends to stay on the run.
She said: “Andreas has called me today and I can assure you he is not missing – no one in his immediate family has reported him missing.”
When asked if her brother would be getting in touch with police after their appeal to trace him, she added: “I don’t believe anyone would, until they have a fair hearing.”
Sandra also said Garifalou does not believe he was wrong to take his children in November.
According to Sandra, her brother took the kids but allowed his son and daughter to speak to their mum on his phone to assure her they were OK.
She said: “Andreas was advised by social work that he was well within his rights.”
Mum Karine told the Daily Record earlier this week that she was terrified that Garifalou would turn up at her home while being hunted by police.
Karine begged the public to tell police if they see him, saying: “They need to find him. I don’t feel safe in my home. I’m moving from here because I don’t feel safe.”
Garifalou is described as white, Scottish and 5ft 11in. He has brown hair and brown eyes and is of medium build.
He has his first name, “Andreas”, tattooed on his left arm.
He has family members in the Townhead area of Coatbridge and also has links to Airdrie and is known to frequent a number of gyms in the Lanarkshire area.
Despite extensive inquiries by the police, they have been unable to locate him.
Police looking for Garifalou said: “We are appealing for anyone who has information regarding his whereabouts to come forward and contact us.
“We would also emphasise that if seen, the public should not approach him and should contact police on 101.”
