Nicosia, Cyprus. Disy president and House speaker Annita Demetriou said Disy would act “ruthlessly” if allegations against Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos are substantiated, while criticising a lack of clarity from police about their investigations.
Demetriou cites presumption of innocence
Speaking on Omega TV on Wednesday, Demetriou said Disy could not proceed with expelling Phedonos at this stage because he has not been found guilty and the presumption of innocence must remain until proven otherwise.
“We will be ruthless if the complaint is substantiated,” she said.
“As long as there is no conviction, it is not legitimate for the party to move towards expulsion.”
Mandatory leave under municipalities law
Demetriou’s comments came hours after the interior ministry confirmed that Phedonos and Lefkoniko mayor Pieris Gypsiotis had been placed on mandatory leave under Article 113 of the municipalities law, following police updates on ongoing criminal investigations.
The provision applies automatically when elected officials face allegations that could carry prison sentences of more than three years.
Party says it learned details through media
Demetriou said the party’s information on the Phedonos case has come almost entirely through media reports.
“Until yesterday, the information we had was that there was no complaint. We are officially waiting, and if there is anything politically, we can do, we will do it,” she said. “There is nothing we can do and we are not doing it.”
Concerns over police communication
Demetriou said she was troubled by the absence of clear public communication from the police regarding which complaints are being investigated.
“I see a woman publicly complaining about a series of offences. The state has an obligation to listen, to investigate, to see what is true and what is not true,” she said.
What do you think authorities should communicate publicly while criminal investigations are ongoing?
