Nicosia, Cyprus. An appeal was lodged on Thursday against Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis’ suggestion that his ministry’s permanent secretary, Neophytos Papadopoulos, be suspended. The appeal was filed with the Public Service Commission by Papadopoulos’ lawyer, Chris Triantafyllides.
Background to the dispute
The rift between Koumis and Papadopoulos first arose after an Iranian-made drone was fired at Cyprus in March. Koumis believed the incident would cause a tourism crisis, while Papadopoulos disagreed.
Arguments in the appeal
Triantafyllides argued that suspending the permanent secretary could not be justified by the facts of the case and did not safeguard the public interest.
He said the procedure lacked legality and that the deputy minister’s appointment itself was unconstitutional.
Claims over official documents
Triantafyllides said Koumis’ letter to President Nikos Christodoulides and the cabinet, the cabinet minutes, and the suggestions submitted to the Public Service Commission contained offences for which an internal investigation was called for.
He also said the cabinet minutes did not contain special reasons justifying why an article allowing the issue to be forwarded to the commission had been activated.
Position on evidence and administration
Triantafyllides said all evidence was broadly available, including office correspondence, digital files and other exchanges involving multiple recipients.
He added that deputy ministry officers had already expressed their views in writing, and argued that it was therefore unnecessary to remove Papadopoulos from his position to protect evidence.
“Removing my client at this stage does not strengthen, but weakens the administrative continuity and the ability of the deputy ministry to meet its current obligations,” Triantafyllides said.
He said removing Papadopoulos would also affect project presentations and the public interest.
