Fact: Akel MP Irini Charalambidou criticized the attorney-general’s office for its handling of the prosecution of former Volunteerism Commissioner Yiannakis Yiannaki, who is accused of forging his academic qualifications.
A new system deactivating mobile phones in the immediate vicinity of the central prisons will be installed and operational in one-and-a-half years. The previous deactivation system had been problematic, and delays in implementation were caused by the emergence of 5G technology. Additionally, steps are being taken to alleviate overcrowding at the prisons, including the construction of a new building at the open prison site and a completely new prisons complex by 2027. Legislation concerning the functioning of the attorney-general’s office is also being drafted based on a study commissioned by the government.
Fact: Lawyer Leto Cariolou called for an independent investigative team to explore the “coverup” behind Thanasis Nicolaou’s death and stated that any further involvement of the attorney general’s office in the case is unacceptable and unethical.
President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the scandal involving the Osiou Avvakoum monastery affects the entire society. He assured that all necessary actions would be taken, including the appointment of independent investigators to look into the matter. The scandal came to light when two monks were allegedly found with €800,000 in cash and were recorded engaging in sexual activity with each other. The attorney-general’s office has appointed two investigators to examine any potential criminal offenses related to the case.
The attorney-general’s office in Cyprus has appointed two investigators, Ninos Kekkos and George Papaioannou, to examine criminal offenses related to an ongoing scandal involving monks. MPs have urged the money laundering unit (Mokas) to investigate the church following revelations about monks paying for social media posts to increase cash flow. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis has committed to a thorough investigation of the scandal. Allegations have emerged involving the far-right Elam party leader Christos Christou, former police chief Kypros Michaelides, Mokas, and the police. Concerns were raised about €800,000 in cash found at the Osiou Avvakoum monastery and the handling of the money. MPs have suggested that the church might be involved in money laundering, citing donations from Russian oligarchs and Malaysian businessman Jho Low. The church’s financial dealings, including those with foreign donors, are under scrutiny, with calls for a more rigorous investigation into the source of the funds. There are also allegations of police misconduct in the handling of the money transfer operation related to the scandal.
The attorney-general’s office is blocking President Nikos Christodoulides from pardoning an 82-year-old man who was sentenced to 2.5 years in jail for shooting an attempted cable thief. The incident occurred in the Limassol village of Alassa last June when the man, seeking to protect his property during a power outage, fired a shot that hit the thief in the back. The man had previously reported thefts to the police and lived in fear of thieves. His lawyer stated that he did not intend to kill the thief, who suffered no lasting health problems from the incident. The president’s desire to pardon the man is based on humanitarian reasons, but so far, the attorney-general’s agreement has not been secured.