Limassol police investigators are sending the case file on assault allegations against DISY MP Nikos Sykas to the Law Office today for review and instructions, as the investigation stalls over parliamentary immunity issues.
The file will include the complainant’s statement and medical documents from her examination, according to philenews sources. Though investigators will submit the file today, a decision may take several days.
The charges prepared by Limassol CID’s Violence Unit include assault causing actual bodily harm and psychological violence. If the case proceeds, the final charges will be formulated by the Law Office.
Investigators are waiting for the green light to advance their probe and take a formal statement from Sykas. That requires lifting his parliamentary immunity first.
Under Cyprus law, the attorney general must request immunity lifting from the Supreme Court. Without the court’s permission, an MP cannot be prosecuted, arrested or imprisoned during their term.
The case emerged after a woman reported to the Limassol Police Directorate on Sunday that Sykas had beaten her and committed physical violence against her several days earlier, whilst both were abroad.
After returning to Cyprus, the complainant underwent medical examinations before filing a formal complaint.
The alleged offence occurred in Greece. However, Article 5 of the Criminal Code allows prosecution in Cyprus of offences committed abroad by Republic citizens if punishable by more than two years’ imprisonment and constituting a criminal offence under the law where committed.
Sykas denied the allegations in a post following House President Annita Dimitriou’s public intervention. The Limassol MP categorically denies the complaint and says he’s shocked by the case leak to the media and social networks.
Nevertheless, he said he fully respects investigative procedures and is ready to provide “the actual facts”.
DISY’s Executive Bureau held an emergency meeting at 8:30 this morning and called a Political Bureau meeting for Wednesday at 7:30 pm to make final decisions.
The Political Bureau will decide whether Sykas is removed from the ballot, whilst party expulsion and removal from DISY’s parliamentary group also remain possible.
Dimitriou called on the MP to voluntarily waive his immunity.
In a post, the DISY president wrote: “As DISY President, I state with absolute clarity that there is no tolerance for allegations of violence. We fully respect Justice and the presumption of innocence, but the investigation must happen immediately and without shadows. I consider voluntary waiver of immunity essential. Meanwhile, the MP is set for removal from the ballot, and this is my recommendation to the party’s competent bodies. Violence, especially against women, offends the values we serve. Our principles are non-negotiable”.