Nicosia, Cyprus. The defence ministry said results of an internal investigation into the disappearance of 13.6 kilograms of TNT during a national guard exercise will be announced next week. Police are conducting a parallel criminal investigation.
Timeline and parallel investigations
The defence ministry confirmed on Tuesday that an inquiry being carried out within the national guard is ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next week, when its results will be announced. The ministry said it has full confidence in the competent police authorities conducting a separate criminal investigation, and said their findings will be communicated in accordance with prescribed procedures.
The updated timeline contrasts with comments made last Friday by Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, who said developments were expected within the next two days, prompting political criticism over how the case is being handled.
Akel criticism and questions
Akel said authorities have failed to provide clear answers 11 days after the TNT disappeared. The party described the case as raising extremely serious concerns and said the possibility that the explosives have ended up in the underworld creates enormous concern and increases feelings of insecurity within society.
Akel also said it remains unclear why no national guard officials have been placed on leave, despite Palmas having acknowledged that issues of disciplinary offences arise due to a lack of supervision of the material.
The party questioned the basis on which an investigating officer was appointed by the military leadership if there is suspicion the theft may have been organised from within, asking whether the national guard will investigate itself.
Akel also asked what steps have been taken in recent years to address what it described as chronic understaffing and inadequate training, saying such shortcomings test operational capability and raise serious security issues.
Disappearance during training exercise
The TNT went missing on January 29 during an engineer training exercise at the Kalo Chorio firing range.
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