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Yesterday’s European Commission Report on the Rule of Law is a wake-up call for the Republic of Cyprus regarding the unjustified delay in reforming the Legal Service, ALMA notes in a statement released today, adding that “the Commission is right: the bills to separate the role of the Attorney General, the establishment of an Office of the General Public Prosecutor, and the end of unchecked criminal prosecutions have been pending before Parliament since July 2025 and have essentially remained on the back burner of the Legal Affairs Committee until the end of the parliamentary session. A coincidence?”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“On June 26, 2026, our Member of Parliament, Michalis Paraskevas, asked the Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee to prioritize the bills for debate. We expect this to happen starting with the first session of the new parliamentary term in September.”
“The developments that have come to light in recent days confirm the magnitude of the institutional problem,” the Alma statement emphasizes, citing as examples the “the granting of a presidential pardon and the suspension of a 35-year sentence for an individual convicted in two attempted murder cases—involving a total of five victims—who had previously been convicted of rape, allegations of a system of informal immunity and preferential treatment for individuals facing serious charges, as well as allegations of preferential treatment for individuals based on connections, influence, or connections; as well as allegations of abuses of the Witness Protection Program.”
The report, the announcement continues, “also calls for further strengthening of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority. Currently under discussion is granting the Authority investigative powers, as well as the ability to act as a public prosecutor. This second power cannot be effectively institutionalized without prior reform of the Legal Service and an amendment to the constitutional framework. “That is why the delay in reform is also hindering the substantive upgrading of the Authority.”
Referring to the “State Mafia” case, Alma states that it “must therefore serve as a catalyst,” while “until the criminal investigators’ inquiries are completed—regardless of any doubts surrounding their appointment—the reform of the Legal Service must be completed, so that no institutional issue arises regarding who will act as Public Prosecutor and handle the investigative material.”
“The review of the bills must begin in earnest in September and be completed as soon as possible,” Alma concludes.
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