Nicosia, Cyprus. Melios Pet Centre Ltd and its owner, Menelaos “Melios” Menelaou, have filed a complaint with President Nikos Christodoulides alleging long-standing, systematic and documented illegal behaviour by state officers and services. The complaint was filed on May 14 and was made public on Wednesday.
Complaint allegations
According to the complaint, the company has operated since 2000 in the buying, selling, breeding and importing of animals, while also running a farm.
The lawyers representing the company reported the state for what they described as the illegal and vengeful confiscation and killing of animals, forgery of official documents, and interventions in commercial transactions with European partners.
The complaint states that, in retaliation for a complaint filed against the agriculture ministry, the game fund illegally confiscated and killed legally imported birds without justification, illegally confiscated and killed 20 legally imported crocodiles, unjustifiably and illegally trapped animals in transport cages leading to the death of a jaguar, and illegally prevented the transportation of three lion cubs.
Requests to the president
In their letter, the lawyers asked Christodoulides to order an immediate, independent, comprehensive and in-depth investigation into all complaints, to ensure accountability for those involved, and to lift all restrictions imposed on the company and reissue its permits.
They also called for the creation of an ad hoc committee to examine the case, citing its seriousness and the involvement of high-ranking state officers.
Previous legal rulings
Melios Zoo Park in Ayioi Trimithias, Nicosia, had previously faced closure over legal issues, licence revocation and animal welfare controversies.
On April 9, a court ruling reconfirmed that the facility was in breach of safety regulations and operating without a valid permit.
An earlier court ruling had also found the zoo in violation of the law. Menelaou appealed that decision to the Supreme Constitutional Court, which ruled against him and upheld the previous judgment.
