Tensions flared in the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday as lawmakers criticised President Nikos Christodoulides over his handling of a highway blockade by the United Cypriot Hunters Party on March 23.
The committee session, which included Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, saw sharp exchanges as opposition MPs accused the president of bypassing official channels in managing the protest.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou claimed Christodoulides directly contacted the leader of the hunters’ movement, Nikos Prodromou, and subsequently assigned handling of the matter to the Interior Ministry rather than the Justice Ministry.
Damianou continued his criticism, telling Hartsiotis he remained “uninvolved” because “the handling was done by the President of the Republic”. At another point, he told the minister “you were absent”.
The allegations triggered a reaction from Justice Minister Hartsiotis, who was sitting opposite Damianou. Committee chairman Nicos Tornaritis assured the minister he would have an opportunity to respond later.
DISY MP Nikos Georgiou stated that “everyone knew beforehand that if the President called them, the event would be cancelled. This is also a political issue”.
Responding to this, Police Chief Arnaoutis said curtly: “Whether the President would call does not concern me. I will not speak about the President of the Republic. Ask the President of the Republic. I relayed it to the minister (that Prodromou said he would cancel the event if Christodoulides contacted him)”.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides focused on the fact that police knew three days before the event that a call from Christodoulides to the hunters’ leader would have prevented the highway blockade.
“It is clear that the reason no one has responsibility is because whatever happened was done with the cover of the President of the Republic,” Pasiourtides said.
Justice Minister Hartsiotis reported that investigations ordered on March 25 found no disciplinary or criminal liabilities. He noted the Attorney General had instructed that investigations into criminal offences be discontinued.
Police Chief Arnaoutis presented a detailed report on the hunters’ event, explaining why no arrests were made. He stated no legislation was violated and there was cooperation between the hunters’ movement leader and police.
Regarding the highway closure (11:44-14:05), he said the event lasted only 30 minutes, but required 45 minutes for arrival and departure of participants (700 vehicles and 2,000 people).
The committee also discussed proposed legislation aimed at regulating public gatherings and preventing protesters from concealing their faces.
Commissioner for Administration Maria Stylianou Lottides expressed concerns about the constitutionality of provisions that would criminalise face covering at demonstrations.
“Under no circumstances can this constitute a criminal offence, especially one punishable by two years imprisonment,” Lottides commented, referring to the draft bill’s provisions.
Police union representatives supported both the government bill and the legislative proposal. Nikos Loizides of the “ISOTITA” union emphasised that “the right of citizens to demonstrate peacefully is not being suspended” and submitted a memorandum with photographs of hooded individuals to highlight the need for legislation preventing demonstrators with intentions to cause incidents.
