Nicosia, Cyprus. Former Disy member of parliament Nikos Sykas will not face criminal charges over allegations of abusing his partner after the legal service said it found insufficient evidence to proceed.
Decision by the legal service
The legal service said it had concluded that, in the absence of testimony from the complainant, which it described as an essential part of the evidence that could be put before a court for evaluation, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal prosecution.
It added that any other evidence obtained during the investigation was not considered sufficient on its own to bring the case before a court.
Background to the allegations
Sykas had been accused by his partner of physically abusing her during a holiday in Greece on New Year’s Eve.
She withdrew her complaint shortly after the allegations surfaced, but an investigation was still launched. In January, the supreme court unanimously lifted his immunity, allowing the investigation to proceed.
Political consequences
Following the allegations, Sykas was removed from Disy’s party list for last month’s parliamentary election. He subsequently lost his seat in parliament when the elections took place.
Status of the case
The legal service said the case will remain pending for one year and that the state remains available to provide the complainant with any necessary support and protection.