Police have obtained a search warrant to seize evidence from the home and law office of Nicos Clerides, while lawyer Christos Clerides has made strong allegations, describing the move as an “unprecedented violation”.
The warrant was issued in the early hours of the morning by Nicosia District Court, with Christos Clerides expressing serious reservations about the timing, saying it coincided with the Easter holidays and, in his view, limited the possibility of an immediate legal challenge.
In a statement to SigmaLive, Christos Clerides alleged that the move amounted to an “unprecedented violation” of legal professional privilege, claiming the authorities’ actions were based on a false affidavit and were intended to intimidate.
He also alleged unlawful seizures, including a mobile phone and other electronic equipment, and said Nicos Clerides was forced to comply with an order he described as unconstitutional.
He further raised questions about the selective application of procedures and challenged the overall legality and effectiveness of the steps that were followed.
Full statement by his lawyer, Christos Clerides
“I was notified an hour ago by my colleague Nicos Clerides that a police team intervened at his home with a search warrant in relation to the well-known ‘Sandy’ case.
I was informed that the warrant was issued in the early hours, at 01:00, by Nicosia District Court. Deliberately on Holy Saturday, in my opinion, with the aim of preventing the possibility of challenging that warrant through an application to the Supreme Court. It also coincides with the Easter holidays, during which the courts remain closed, making it impossible to obtain copies of the application and affidavits until next Tuesday, while the government warned that two individuals would be exposed, implying Mr Nicos Clerides and Mr Drousiotis.
Obviously, they had intended to do this long ago, but chose this procedure.
This is an unprecedented violation of legal professional privilege and is based on a false affidavit, with the aim of intimidation. In addition to the residence and vehicle of Nicos Clerides, his mobile phone was also unlawfully seized. At this moment they are taking him to his law office for further unlawful actions and the seizure of other electronic material and devices.
Nicos Clerides protested and signed a statement that he was compelled to comply with an unlawful and unconstitutional order, which violates legal professional privilege and the confidentiality of communications. He asked whether the same tactic had been followed in the case of Michalis Christodoulou and ‘Sandy’, as well as for all others mentioned in the emails, without receiving any answer.
As a lawyer, I denounce the procedure being followed, the omission of the deliberate appointment of criminal investigators, and I challenge the validity and correctness of the procedures that were followed, raising serious questions as to their effectiveness.”
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