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A serious complaint has been filed against a sitting member of parliament, with a woman accusing the MP of beating her during the holiday period while the two were abroad, a case that is now triggering legal, political and institutional alarm bells.
According to initial information, the alleged incident did not take place in Cyprus but overseas, where the MP is said to have assaulted his partner. The complaint has since reached Cypriot authorities, who are now examining how, and whether, the case can proceed given the suspect’s parliamentary immunity.
Police sources say the possibility of lifting the MP’s immunity is actively being considered. At the same time, the Legal Service is expected to provide guidance on how the case should be handled, including jurisdictional and constitutional issues.
Adding to the seriousness of the situation, information indicates that the Speaker of the House has already contacted the Limassol police director, underscoring the political sensitivity of the case.
The matter is currently being examined by the Limassol District Court, while investigators work through the legal hurdles involved when a sitting lawmaker is accused of a criminal offense.
Under Cyprus law, members of parliament are protected by immunity, meaning they cannot be prosecuted, arrested or detained unless permission is granted by the Supreme Court. This safeguard is set out in Article 83 of the Constitution.
The process is far from automatic. Only the Attorney General has the authority to request that an MP’s immunity be lifted. The Supreme Court then reviews the request to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify criminal prosecution and whether lifting immunity serves the public interest, while also ensuring the case is not politically motivated.
If the court approves the request, criminal proceedings can move forward. If it does not, the MP retains immunity, and the statute of limitations for the alleged offense is effectively frozen for as long as the individual remains in parliament.
For now, authorities are proceeding cautiously, as a deeply personal allegation intersects with constitutional protections, and a case that began abroad now threatens to become a major political test at home.
