Authorities intend to re-register a discontinued sexual violence case following a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that condemned Cyprus for its handling, Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides announced Tuesday whilst rejecting political demands for his resignation.
“I believe a re-registration of the case can be done,” Angelides stated during a press conference, confirming prosecuting authorities plan to proceed with the case that was previously discontinued.
The announcement came as political parties demanded Angelides’ removal from the Law Office following the ECHR decision concerning the prosecution’s handling of a sexual violence case involving a DISY politician.
The ECHR ordered Cyprus to pay €35,470 in compensation to complainant N.T., finding the state violated articles 3, 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The court ruled Cyprus demonstrated “sexist victim-blaming” and “prejudicial gender stereotypes” when discontinuing prosecution.
The case stems from April 2021, when the woman reported being raped in January 2011 at age 18. Police launched an investigation and the case proceeded to criminal court before Angelides discontinued proceedings in December 2021. Angelides served as Minister of Defence in the DISY-led government until 2020.
The suspect, a former Larnaca municipal councillor and DISY parliamentary candidate, withdrew his candidacy following the allegations. He described the charges being dropped as his “hour of vindication” and denied wrongdoing.
The ECHR criticised the Law Office’s approach as reflecting prejudices rather than objective handling of gender-based violence. The court condemned the lack of specialised psychological assessment and failure to properly examine conflicting witness statements.
Angelides defended the original decision: “A complaint was made and investigated by the Police, witness material was examined and a decision was made to prosecute this person. New evidence and testimonies emerged, which we had an obligation to evaluate.”
He noted the ECHR “did not find bad faith or abusive procedure or ulterior motives or intention to violate the victim’s rights,” whilst acknowledging the court disagreed with his reasoning.
Regarding resignation demands, Angelides declared: “For me it is considered a direct threat to justice. Those who without even reading the decision started organised attacks attempt to impose on courts to decide in a specific way and deprive freedom of judgment.”
The ruling represents the second ECHR judgment against Cyprus over sexual violence case handling within months. In February 2025, the court ruled against Cyprus in X v. Cyprus, concerning a British teenager’s gang-rape allegations in Ayia Napa, finding similar “prejudicial gender stereotypes and victim-blaming attitudes.”
The victim called for Angelides’ resignation, stating he “forever went down in Europe’s legal history as a sexist, victim blamer.” House Speaker and DISY leader Annita Demetriou expressed “anguish and anger” over the ruling and called for institutional changes.
Attorney General George Savvides described criticism as “organised” attempts to damage the institution. “We are not here to be popular. We know our decisions will not satisfy the majority of public opinion,” Savvides said.
Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou stated the rulings show “gender stereotypes and prejudices continue to influence the administration of justice in Cyprus.”
When asked about accountability, Angelides clarified: “If I were a political figure, taking responsibility would mean resignation, but I am not a politician.”
Organisations and women’s rights groups will stage a demonstration outside the Law Office in Nicosia today at 6 pm to protest the handling of the case and sexism in Cyprus’s justice system.
Yesterday, seventeen organisations signed a joint statement describing the ECHR ruling as a “repeated confirmation of serious and structural pathologies of a sexist, inadequate and hostile towards victims justice system.”
