A police union leader appeared before a disciplinary panel yesterday in what supporters are calling an attempt to silence whistleblowers within the force.
Nicos Loizides, vice president and press officer of the “ISOTITA” police union, made an emotional statement following his first appearance before the three-member disciplinary committee at the police traffic education park.
“For 60 years in the police, no one dared to speak about organised crime, bribes, sponsorships, and corruption. This union dared to, and now some want to silence it,” Loizides said, his voice breaking with emotion. “Not only will we not be silenced, but no junta will ever trample on our national emblem”.
The hearing was postponed until December 10 after Loizides’s defence team requested a suspension, citing a letter sent to current Police Chief Themistos Arnautis on November 5.
Sources told Phileleftheros the letter alleges former Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou deliberately concealed negative incidents within the force.
The disciplinary action relates to Loizides’s media appearances between November 2023 and August 2024, where he spoke about police matters in his union capacity. His legal team argues the case threatens core union rights and sets a dangerous precedent for silencing worker representatives.
The case has drawn particular attention as Loizides is facing dismissal from the force for statements made as a union official rather than in his capacity as a police officer.
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