Regarding the decision on the “automatic removal” of the former Community Leader of Paleichori, Oreini, Tassos Michailidis, as well as the allegations he himself made, the Ministry of the Interior has responded, while clarifying that the case regarding his removal is not related to the relocation of the headquarters of the Madari–Papoutsa Community Services Complex.
In a statement, the Ministry of the Interior states that a request had been submitted by the overwhelming majority of the Community Councils participating in this Complex to relocate its headquarters to the Alona Community Council.
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The Ministry, acting within the scope of its authority and in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation, accepted the request, since, as it states, the Council’s initial decision determining the seat was not lawful.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the President and Members of the Council of the Community Services Complex were notified of the acceptance of the request via a letter dated March 5, 2026.
The following is the Ministry of the Interior’s announcement in its entirety:
Regarding statements made by the former Community Leader of Paleochori Oreini concerning the issue of the headquarters of the Madari–Papoutsa Community Services Complex, the Ministry of the Interior clarifies that a request was submitted by the overwhelming majority of the Community Councils participating in said Complex, to relocate its headquarters to the Alona Community Council.
The Ministry of the Interior, acting within the scope of its authority and, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation, accepted the request, as the Council’s initial decision establishing the headquarters was not in accordance with the law. It informed the President and Members of the Council of the said Community Services Complex of the acceptance of the request in a letter dated March 5, 2026. Consequently, the decision to relocate the Cluster’s headquarters is a separate issue and is in no way connected to the former Community Leader’s automatic removal from office.
SEE ALSO: Five years later: Community leader convicted in 2021, re-elected, and removed from office in 2026
Regarding the criminal conviction of the former Community Leader, the evidence presented to the Ministry of the Interior indicates that the Ministry had not been notified of the conviction until recently. After receiving recent information from the District Officer of Nicosia and the Legal Service of the Republic, the Ministry examined the matter immediately and in accordance with the applicable legal framework. Following the required legal assessment by the Legal Service of the Republic, it was determined that the conditions for the automatic removal of the Community Leader from office, as provided for in the Communities Law, have been met.
Notwithstanding the above, the Ministry of the Interior has decided to conduct an administrative investigation with the aim of fully examining the facts and, in particular, to ascertain the reasons for the excessive delay in implementing the relevant provisions of the Law. The Ministry will await the completion of the administrative investigation and will then evaluate its findings in order to take the appropriate actions.
