The DISY party will vote Wednesday evening on removing MP Nikos Sykas from its election ticket following allegations he assaulted his partner, with the party’s political bureau meeting at 7:30 pm to ratify the decision.
The party’s leadership met urgently on Monday and adopted the leadership’s proposal to exclude Sykas from the ticket. According to information, party expulsion was also discussed. Final decisions are expected from the political bureau on Wednesday evening.
DISY President Annita Demetriou has publicly called on Sykas to waive his parliamentary immunity voluntarily.
Police continue investigating the case, with developments pointing towards an immunity waiver as the only way forward.
The case file, containing testimonies collected by Limassol CID Violence Unit investigators from Sunday 4 January onwards, was sent to the Law Office on Monday for instructions, as the law does not permit investigation, arrest or prosecution of an MP without a prior immunity waiver.
Instructions were given to collect further testimony strengthening the woman’s complaint, according to information. Judicial assistance from Greek authorities has been deemed necessary as the alleged incident occurred in Athens. Testimony is expected from the doctor who examined the complainant after the incident and from people she contacted by phone about what happened.
Investigators may travel to the Greek capital if deemed necessary to coordinate procedures.
Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides, who studied the testimonies in the police file from the investigation so far, gave instructions on Tuesday in two directions regarding the complaint against the MP.
First, the file should be immediately assessed by the Law Office lawyers with the testimonies collected to submit a request to the Supreme Court for an immunity waiver as soon as possible.
Second, further investigation should be conducted so that the immunity waiver request is adequately justified.
The immunity waiver is now considered the only option, as the investigation requires a Supreme Court decision that Sykas is not covered by his parliamentary immunity.
Whilst he has expressed his intention to testify to authorities, this is not sufficient, as the law requires an immunity waiver before he can be called for investigation. The same applies if an MP is to be charged in court—criminal prosecution cannot be brought without prior immunity waiver.
Lawyers note that if Sykas does not object to the immunity waiver request, the process can move faster. The request to the Supreme Court is expected to be submitted immediately, possibly within the week or early next week.
Limassol CID’s Violence Unit is investigating offences of assault causing actual bodily harm and psychological violence against the MP, though charges may change depending on findings.
The case came to light after a woman went to the Limassol Police Directorate on 4 January and reported she suffered physical violence from the MP whilst they were abroad.
According to new information, after the incident, they went to a nightclub, and some other events followed. She visited a doctor in Athens, where she reported the attack, then returned to Cyprus and made the complaint.
The alleged assault occurred in Greece. However, under Article 5 of the Criminal Code, an offence committed in any foreign country by a Republic citizen can be prosecuted and tried in Cyprus if it is punishable by imprisonment exceeding two years and constitutes a criminal offence under the laws of the country where it was committed.
Sykas categorically denies the complaint, stating that he is shocked by the publicity surrounding the case. He says he respects investigative procedures and declares himself ready to testify before authorities, maintaining he will present the “actual facts”.
