Police leadership assigned five Mercedes bought for Cyprus’ EU presidency preparations

Nicosia, Cyprus. Five Mercedes E 450d vehicles purchased ahead of Cyprus’ 2026 presidency of the Council of the European Union have been assigned to the police leadership for transportation, prompting a complaint to the audit office.

The vehicles, which reportedly cost about €87,000 each, were allocated to Deputy Police Chief Panikos Stavrou and his deputies Marios Agiotis, Michalis Katsounotos, Yiannakis Georgiou and Ioannis Mavrochannas.

Questions over use of vehicles

The assignments have raised questions within the police over whether the vehicles could have been used for more serious operational purposes.

The Mercedes E 450d has 375 horsepower and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.4 seconds. Vehicles with such specifications are generally associated with escort or other specialised duties rather than routine transportation.

Deputy chiefs are permitted to use official vehicles only for movements undertaken in the course of their duties. The Chief and Deputy Chief may use an official vehicle and escort on a 24-hour basis.

Existing fleet

Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis reportedly retained his existing vehicle, but did not prevent the acquisition of the Mercedes vehicles for other members of the leadership.

Services currently using newer vehicles for official duties have been left with older vehicles while the Mercedes cars are used by senior officers for transportation.

Further allegations

According to Reporter, there are also allegations that other luxury vehicles used during preparations for the EU presidency, but not purchased by the Republic, were later acquired by police members at substantially reduced prices after their use.