By Elizabeth Georgiou
The Mayor of Paphos has been placed on suspension following official notification from the Ministry of Interior, while the same measure also applies to the Mayor of Lefkoniko, in relation to separate complaints that are under criminal investigation. As stated verbatim in the announcement of the Ministry of Interior, following information received from the competent authorities regarding criminal investigations against the two mayors which, in the event of conviction, carry a prison sentence exceeding three years, Article 113 of the Municipalities Law is activated and they are automatically placed on suspension until the completion of the investigations and the adjudication of the cases.
It is clarified that the Minister of Interior is currently abroad and, upon his return, will approve the relevant notice for publication in an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette of the Republic, emphasizing that, by law, the suspension takes effect only after the publication of the notice. The Ministry will make no further statements, as the matter is now being handled by the prosecuting authorities.
In the meantime, developments on the ground indicate that the suspension has begun to have practical consequences. According to information from the Cyprus News Agency, the Mayor of Paphos went to Paphos City Hall on Wednesday afternoon to collect his personal belongings, following the decision of the Ministry of Interior to place him on suspension.
At the investigative level, the Police confirm that the case remains open and active. Speaking on behalf of the Police Communication Branch, Officer Marina Christodoulidou stated that investigative work is ongoing. Asked whether any persons will be called to give statements, she clarified that such decisions lie exclusively with the investigators handling the case, who assess the totality of the evidence and the progress of the investigation. Regarding the nature of the offenses under examination, she limited herself to noting that the Police are investigating serious offenses, without providing further details.
What happens in practice when a mayor is placed on suspension?
The legislation adopted in 2022 as part of the local government reform provides that a mayor may be placed on suspension without the office being vacated, receiving during this period one-third of the prescribed remuneration. In the event of a conviction, the mayor is automatically removed from office, while in the event of acquittal, he or she returns normally to official duties. This framework, which until now had not been tested under similar circumstances, renders the institutional handling of the case unprecedented.
Is there a statute of limitations in Cyprus?
Offenses of this nature fall under the category of felonies and, according to Cypriot criminal law, as legal circles point out, they are not subject to limitation in the same way as other offenses. Their seriousness allows the justice system to examine cases even when the alleged acts date back many years, without time limitation, as has occurred in other instances.
Of particular significance is the fact that, in this specific case, approximately a decade ago there was a named and public reference by Mr. Aristodimou during a live television broadcast on RIK. Lawyer Simos Angelidis, speaking on the program “Enimerosi Tora” (“Update Now”), stated that from that moment there was an obligation for the Police to investigate, emphasizing that since the references were public and made under name, the delay was unjustified.
Automatic suspension activated following criminal investigations into serious offenses
The issuance of an arrest warrant is not automatic but depends on an assessment of specific criteria, such as the risk of tampering with evidence, the possibility of obstructing the investigation, or influencing witnesses. Only if such conditions are deemed to exist can a request be submitted to the court for its issuance, which applies equally in the present case.
What remains certain is that the next procedural steps by the competent authorities will shape not only the course of this case but also the handling of similar cases in the future.
At the same time, public discussion around such matters requires institutional restraint, given that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are constitutionally protected principles. These have been repeatedly underscored by the Supreme Court, particularly in cases where excessive public exposure was found to have affected the impartiality of proceedings, even leading to dismissals. Nevertheless, it is also a fact that the media have played a decisive role in bringing forward voices that for years remained silent due to fear, shame, or social pressure.
Read the original Greek article here.
