The Audit Office has issued harsh criticism of state services and local authorities over a private event featuring a stage and sound equipment at Agios Georgios Peyias, an environmentally sensitive area within the Natura 2000 network.
The Audit Office categorically rejected any connection between the stage installation and the established Carob Festival, emphasising that it was a private birthday party for a well-known businessman rather than part of the annual cultural festival.
The service talked about public misinformation and characterised linking the event to cultural activities as arbitrary and misleading. It highlighted that required permits for installing the stage and sound equipment had not been secured.
Authorities knew but failed to act
The Audit Office directed sharp criticism at competent authorities who, it said, knew about the planned event but failed to take preventive measures despite warnings.
Particular criticism was aimed at the Environmental Authority director, who claimed the Environment Department lacked legal tools for preventive action.
The Audit Office characterised this statement as contrary to basic principles of European environmental law, which emphasises prevention.
The matter remains under investigation, and referral to competent bodies has not been ruled out.
Mayor claims targeting over lost privileges
Akamas Mayor Marinos Lambrou responded to criticism by alleging his municipality was being targeted by specific NGOs following the decision not to renew an operating contract for the old Municipal School in Kathikas.
He argued that events have been held in the courtyard of Agios Georgios Peyias church for 13 years without objections, characterising the location as outside the protected Natura 2000 area.
The municipality is now proceeding with creating a beneficial multipurpose project in the area and has informed the organisation that operated the building that its usage licence will not be renewed.
“After this, they suddenly discovered that our events affect the environment,” Lambrou observed. He noted the municipality cooperated with the Environmental Service and moved the stage to avoid further objections.
District organisation dismisses concerns
Paphos District Local Government Organisation President Charalambos Pittokopitis dismissed environmental destruction concerns, calling them “a storm in a teacup”.
He argued these events have been conducted for decades and characterised reactions as excessive. He emphasised that a recent meeting involving the Environment Department established new procedures for licensing similar future events to avoid misunderstandings.
Terra Cypria demands immediate action
Environmental organisation Terra Cypria alleges blatant violations of environmental legislation, referring to both unauthorised building construction and infrastructure expansion and stage installation in a protected area.
The organisation documented with photographic and audiovisual material that the event produced very high levels of light and noise pollution, seriously endangering the reproduction and survival of priority species including sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals.
Special reference was made to Toxeftra beach, from where the stage was fully visible and where the Fisheries Department recorded no impacts “by chance”, as no nesting or hatching occurred that night.
Departments defend response
In a joint announcement, the Fisheries and Marine Research Department and Environment Department responded to the Audit Office, confirming they took timely action and necessary preventive measures to avoid environmental damage.
Following notification of concerns, an on-site inspection was conducted on 21 August. The same day, a letter was sent to Akamas Municipality requesting immediate cessation of stage installation work and re-examination of the event’s legality.
When the municipality, responsible for licensing such events, did not respond and preparations continued, the departments intervened again, requesting measures to limit light pollution through protective covers on the stage.
The municipality ultimately complied, and protective covers were installed and inspected on the event day. During the event, a night-time inspection was conducted, with specialists concluding no damage was caused to nests the following day.
The case emerged following site visits and complaints by Terra Cypria, which observed expansion of activities at Agios Georgios Peyias from April to August 2025 without required urban planning or environmental approvals.
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