Deputy Attorney General

The asset declaration, the prosecutors’ exemption and the provocative 6-4 in the Institutions Committee

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The asset declaration, the prosecutors’ exemption and the provocative 6-4 in the Institutions Committee

The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General requested to be exempt from a new law requiring asset declarations to be made public. Despite concerns about corruption and the importance of transparency, the proposal barely passed in the Institutions Committee by a vote of 6-4. One MP showed courage by diverging from the party line, preventing a tie in the vote. The demand for exemption was made based on the argument that they are not politically exposed persons and should not be subject to public scrutiny. However, the column questions this reasoning, citing past corruption cases involving high-ranking officials. Members of the Institutions Committee voted in favor of including prosecutors in the list of officials required to submit asset declarations, with some MPs going against their party line. There is a risk that the position may change in the plenary, depending on how certain MPs vote.

Maybe they like to reinforce distrust

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Maybe they like to reinforce distrust

The clash between the Attorney General’s Office and the Independent Authority Against Corruption has created a sense of cover-up in society. The Anti-Corruption Authority requested the Attorney General’s Office to conduct a criminal inquiry and possible prosecution against a police officer who refused to cooperate in an investigation involving the Deputy Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Office declined to comply, leading to a clash of interpretations of the law and reinforcing the sense of collusion in society. This affects the quality of the rule of law and society as a whole, as citizens expect integrity and probity from those in key public positions. The Anti-Corruption Authority’s efforts may be hindered if witnesses continue to invoke their right to silence.

Cyprus nears conclusions in probe of Russian sanctions violations

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Cyprus nears conclusions in probe of Russian sanctions violations

Cypriot authorities are investigating possible breaches of EU sanctions on Russian billionaires related to the war in Ukraine. Investigators are looking into cases involving high-profile individuals like Alexei Mordashov, who reportedly transferred shares worth €1.4 billion to his wife after the sanctions were imposed. The Attorney General’s office met with investigators to review progress and issue instructions, with potential prosecutions looming. Sources indicate that evidence from foreign countries is being sought to support potential charges, with funds leaving Cyprus before the sanctions were implemented being a focus of the investigation.

Family of Thanasis Nikolaou: Rejects involvement of Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and Police in the investigations

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Family of Thanasis Nikolaou: Rejects involvement of Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and Police in the investigations

The family of Thanasis Nikolaou refuses to accept the involvement of the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and the Police in the investigations of the case. They are calling for an independent investigative team to look into the circumstances of Thanasis’ murder and the alleged cover-up by members of the Police and National Guard.

Auditor General faces dismissal bid; explosive statements anticipated

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Auditor General faces dismissal bid; explosive statements anticipated

Attorney General George Savvides has filed a bid to dismiss Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides before the Supreme Constitutional Court, citing “inappropriate behavior” including public disputes, social media activity, and handling of complaints. The application references high-profile cases and controversies, with Michaelides’ legal team planning to call prominent figures for testimony. The Attorney General claims that Michaelides’ clashes are driven by ulterior motives, causing doubts about his integrity. Michaelides’ defenders argue that his role requires expressing differing opinions and dispute allegations of misconduct.

Outlining the key players in Auditor General court case

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Outlining the key players in Auditor General court case

Three judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court, including the current president, previously participated in a case involving the dismissal of a state official for inappropriate behavior. Two lawyers of the Auditor General also have experience in a similar case, as they represented the former Attorney General. The current Deputy Attorney General may be a witness in the process, as one of the issues raised concerns a complaint against him. Two large law firms will represent the Attorney General in the legal battle, one of which has ties to a former judge who prepared a report on the state official in the previous case.

Landmark legal battle unfolds in Cyprus

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Landmark legal battle unfolds in Cyprus

The Attorney General of Cyprus has filed a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court seeking the dismissal of Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides for inappropriate conduct. This legal battle will involve top legal professionals and is based on a regulatory provision from 2021. The case is unique as there is limited case law on requests for dismissal due to inappropriate behavior, with the only previous case involving former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotocritou, who was criminally convicted. The Constitution does not clearly define what constitutes inappropriate behavior for the dismissal of officials at this level of constitutional protection. The Auditor General has 21 days to file an objection to the request for dismissal, and if the case reaches a hearing, old cases handled by the Legal Service will be brought up, with witnesses called to testify.

Request to suspend Auditor General heads to Supreme Court

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Request to suspend Auditor General heads to Supreme Court

A request for the suspension of the Auditor General is expected to be filed with the Supreme Constitutional Court by the legal team of the Attorney General. The request is based on the complaint that the Auditor General exceeded his powers, which is not considered inappropriate behavior. The decision to suspend an independent state official must be initiated by the President of the Republic, according to the Trifonos case. The Attorney General does not have the authority to make such requests.

Elderly man’s prison sentence upheld

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Elderly man’s prison sentence upheld

The appellate judicial body rejected the request for a suspended sentence for 82-year-old grandfather Chrysanthos, upholding an immediate prison sentence of two and a half years. The decision now rests with the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General to decide on clemency procedures. The President previously granted a pardon for humanitarian reasons, urging the release of the elderly man. Two judges supported the prison sentence, while the Court of Appeal President believed a suspended sentence was justified due to the circumstances. Chrysanthos was convicted for shooting a would-be thief on his property and has faced health issues requiring hospitalization. The appeal argued that the court should have granted a suspended sentence in his case.

The Auditor General fires at the Attorney General – “They are working on a plan to eliminate me”

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The Auditor General fires at the Attorney General – “They are working on a plan to eliminate me”

The Deputy Attorney General has filed a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court for the dismissal of the Auditor General, according to a statement by the Audit Office. The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General are accused of trying to eliminate Odysseas Michaelides in retaliation for his highlighting of unethical actions by the Assistant Attorney General.