An investigative committee has commenced its work examining the issue of defective Takata airbags in Cyprus. The inquiry began on Thursday morning at 09:30.
The committee’s first session saw evidence presented by Constantinos Kodjiapashis, a senior audit officer from the Ministry of Transport’s Audit Directorate. Kodjiapashis submitted the findings of an administrative investigation he conducted, outlining the facts as he recorded them, having undertaken an in-depth study of the matter.
Michalakis Christodoulou, the President of the Investigative Committee, stated that he would not pose questions to Kodjiapashis regarding his investigation at this initial hearing. However, Christodoulou indicated that Kotziapashis would be recalled to appear before the committee at a later date. He also requested that Kodjiapashis prepare a list of the directors of the Ministry of Transport from 2004 to the present, as the committee intends to summon them as witnesses to examine the Ministry’s oversight of vehicle recalls.
Sotos Trikomitis, the president of the Association of Importers of Used Vehicles, is currently providing testimony. In his statement, he noted that no other country faces a similar situation, attributing it to the high volume of vehicle imports, including what he described as “grey” imports that do not meet EU safety standards.
Following Trikomitis, representatives from Unicars, Dickran Ouzounian, and Pilakoutas Group are scheduled to give evidence.
The Investigative Committee is tasked with investigating the sale of vehicles with defective Takata airbags in the Cypriot market, including those sourced from the European Union and imported from third countries, as well as the processes surrounding vehicle recalls. The committee comprises Michalakis Christodoulou, a former Supreme Court Judge (President), Michalis Vorkas, President of the Pancyprian Bar Association, and Theodosios Hadjimichael, an official from the Audit Office (Commissioners).
The inquiry will, among other things, examine the regulations and procedures followed in Cyprus for the recall of vehicles originating from other EU member states and third countries. It will also scrutinise the events, circumstances, and reasons that led to the issuance of a circular by the Department of Road Transport, dated 21 March 2017, concerning vehicle recalls, as well as the overall process of issuing, monitoring, and implementing this circular.
The Takata airbag defect, caused by a chemical component that can deteriorate in hot conditions, risks explosive deployment that could project metal fragments into vehicle cabins, potentially causing serious injury to occupants.
It is estimated that at least 27 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide have been attributed to the defective Takata airbags.
In Cyprus, at least three deaths have been linked to the faulty Takata airbags.
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