The sudden withdrawal of the complaint in the Sykas affair doesn’t close the matter—it cracks it wide open, exposing the rot at the heart of our public and institutional life. In a society still struggling to balance the presumption of innocence against the desperate need to actually protect victims of gender-based violence, this development lays bare our contradictions.
That the complainant changed her position is neither rare nor mysterious. International evidence shows that withdrawn complaints in violence cases are common—the result of fear, pressure, emotional dependence, or social stigma. But when the accused is a sitting MP, the burden the complainant carries multiplies exponentially. A personal case instantly becomes a political event, with all that entails.
Here, the stance taken by the Law Office becomes crucial. Its decision to press ahead with the request to lift parliamentary immunity, despite the complaint’s withdrawal, sends an unmistakable message: the criminal investigation of serious allegations cannot depend solely on the victim’s will, particularly when other witness or medical evidence exists. This isn’t prejudging guilt—it’s respecting the rule of law.
Immunity is not, and must not be treated as, a shield against justice. It’s an institutional tool to protect parliamentary function, not a personal privilege. Triggering the procedure to lift immunity is necessary precisely so that the shadow of this case doesn’t hang over either the accused or the institutions.
At the same time, society must show maturity. No kangaroo courts, no rush to judgement. This case must be allowed to be decided where it belongs: in the courts. Only then can we protect both the credibility of violence complaints and every citizen’s right to a fair hearing. Otherwise, the real victim, once again, will be our faith in institutions.
Ultimately, what’s really at stake here isn’t the political fate of one MP. It’s the credibility of our institutions, the protection of victims, and the message the State sends to every woman wondering whether to speak or stay silent. And that message cannot and must not be withdrawn.
