Demetriou orders inquiry into publication of MPs’ family data

Nicosia, Cyprus. House speaker Annita Demetriou on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the publication by House services of personal information concerning MPs’ relatives. The data appeared on Parliament’s website with the annual asset declarations, known as pothen esches, despite not being intended for publication.

Report requested from House services

Demetriou instructed the services to produce a factual account establishing precisely what occurred and to ensure strict compliance with every requirement of the applicable legislation.

The House institutions committee is expected to discuss the matter.

Alma MP Irene Charalambides sent Demetriou a letter saying Parliament had violated legislation it had itself enacted.

Pamboridis raises possible criminal liability

Disy MP George Pamboridis, whose declared net assets of €3.37 million placed him first in the published ranking, raised the possibility of criminal responsibility.

In remarks to CyBC, he argued that Parliament’s disclosure of information remained a criminal offence if another party would have committed an offence by releasing it.

“Criminal offences do not distinguish between who commits them and who does not.”

Pamboridis said the purpose was to establish procedures serving the public interest rather than punish individuals. He sought an investigation into the data and said the attorney-general’s office should prosecute if a legal breach was established.

He also criticised the presentation of politicians’ asset declarations, describing the approach as populist and saying it encouraged gossip without serving any further purpose.