The Audit Office has distanced itself from statements made by the Akamas mayor, Paphos District Local Government Organisation president, and the Department of Environment director regarding a stage installation with sound equipment in an environmentally sensitive area of Akamas for a private businessman’s birthday party.
The installation was not connected to the established Carob Festival but served a private birthday party for a prominent businessman at a different location, the Audit Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The office accused officials of attempting to mislead the public by linking the private party to the annual Carob Festival, describing this connection as “arbitrary and misleading.” The stage and sound equipment erected for the party had no functional or geographical relationship with the festival events and appeared to lack necessary permits, according to the statement.
Audit office disputes link between private event and Carob Festival
The Audit Office expressed serious reservations about the stance of competent authorities, noting they had prior knowledge of the private party plans and associated risks to the area. Despite having sufficient time and receiving relevant warnings, authorities failed to take substantive intervention to prevent the event, the statement said.
The office particularly criticised the Department of Environment Director’s claim that the Environment Department lacks legal tools for preventive intervention, rejecting this position as contradicting basic principles of EU environmental law.
“This sends extremely wrong messages regarding the state’s capabilities to enforce legal order,” the Audit Office stated. “We remind of the fundamental principle of EU environmental law, which mandates precaution and prevention, not merely taking measures after the fact.”
Environment director claims lack of preventive legal tools
The Audit Office said initial findings create reasonable suspicions of potential negligence or unjustified tolerance by state officials aimed at serving private interests. The office has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, awaiting an official response.
Based on data emerging from further investigation, authorities will decide whether and when to refer the case to competent bodies.
The controversy centres on whether proper environmental protections were followed in the Akamas peninsula. The region hosts protected species and habitats under EU environmental legislation.
State officials had received advance notice of the private party plans and warnings about environmental risks from the Audit Office itself, according to the statement.
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