Nicosia, Cyprus. The prison officers’ branch of the Isotita (Equality) union renewed its criticism on Tuesday over the dismissal of prison officer Giorgos Maltezos, alleging that he was targeted because of his trade union activity.
The union called for the immediate withdrawal of the dismissal decision and Maltezos’ reinstatement.
Union allegations
In a statement, the branch said Maltezos, who is vice president of Equality’s prison guards’ branch, had been unfairly targeted for defending workers’ rights and denouncing what it described as corrupt practices.
It said the dismissal constituted “a direct attack on trade union freedom” and an attempt to “terrorise those who resist arbitrariness”.
The union added that it could not “be bought with state sponsorships nor yield to pressure”.
Maltezos responds
Speaking to Politis radio, Maltezos rejected the justice ministry’s position that his dismissal followed a disciplinary process unrelated to his union activities.
“They didn’t fire me because I wasn’t doing my job. They fired me because I was an obstacle to their plans,” he said, describing the decision as “illegal and vindictive”.
Addressing allegations concerning repeated absences, Maltezos said the time away from work had been used for legally protected trade union duties and that prison authorities had been informed in writing beforehand.
He said the authorities had classified time allocated to him as an elected Equality representative as unjustified absence.
Maltezos also rejected claims that his absences had disrupted prison operations, saying he had already been transferred away from shift work.
