Nicosia, Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas on Wednesday urged restraint in public discussion about the army careers of the children of a terrorism suspect, saying relatives should not be judged based on allegations against a family member. He said the matter was sensitive because it involved both personal data and national security.
Minister calls for caution
Speaking on Ant1’s midday programme, Palmas said no assumptions should be made about the suspect’s children because of the case against their father.
“Just because the father is a suspect and has been arrested on specific charges does not mean that his children are involved,” he said.
Palmas said the children had given no reason for suspicion and should not be unfairly targeted by public speculation.
Investigation across Cyprus and Greece
Authorities in Cyprus and Greece are investigating what they believe is an alleged Hamas-linked network operating across the eastern Mediterranean, following the arrest of a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete and the detention of four Palestinian suspects in Cyprus.
According to Phileleftheros, one of the four suspects detained in Cyprus, a Cypriot national of Palestinian origin in his fifties, is the father of a serving police officer and three contract soldiers in the National Guard. At least two of the latter are understood to be stationed in the same military unit.
The report prompted scrutiny of possible security implications, although officials said extensive checks had already been carried out and no evidence had emerged linking any of the children to the activities under investigation.
Background checks and privacy concerns
Palmas said three of the suspect’s children are Cypriot citizens with clean criminal records who passed all required examinations and vetting procedures before joining the security services, including the National Guard.
“We need to be very careful when dealing with issues such as these,” he said.
He added that authorities handle such cases with discretion to protect the rights and private lives of those involved, and warned that irresponsible reporting or speculation could unjustly damage reputations.
Ongoing monitoring
Palmas said the broader terrorism threat remains under constant and close monitoring, with Cyprus cooperating closely with Greece and the security services of other countries.
