The disciplinary proceedings against Nikos Loizides, President of the Police Branch of the Pan-Cypriot ISOTITA Union, have been adjourned until 12 November 2024.
The disciplinary process, which was due to begin today at the Traffic Education Park in Nicosia, had been ordered by former Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou, who has since been dismissed.
Defence lawyers requested a temporary suspension of the judicial proceedings, citing a letter sent to the new Police Chief requesting the exercise of his authority under Regulation 26 to suspend the entire process.
The prosecution raised no objection to the adjournment request.
The committee deemed the request justified and set the next hearing for November 12 at noon, when the defendant will respond to the charges.
Defence lawyers indicated they are prepared to file a series of preliminary objections should their request for suspension be rejected.
The disciplinary charges served to Loizides include 16 counts, including inappropriate behaviour, oppressive conduct, insubordination, and breach of trust.
Visibly emotional and tearful during his statement, Loizides thanked his supporters and said: “For 60 years, no one in this police force dared to speak about organised crime, bribes, sponsorships, and corruption like my union has. This union, which some want to silence.”
He concluded by declaring that “the national emblem will never be silenced by any junta!”
Members of the ISOTITA union showed their support by staging a protest outside the Police Traffic Education Park, holding banners that read “NO to the suppression of free expression and trade unionism.”
