Police investigations into possible liability following the collapse of an apartment building on Aeschylus Street in Germasogeia, which claimed two lives, are moving into a new phase.
After completing an initial round of statements and evidence collection, and in consultation with the Law Office, police decided to take the process a step further by summoning those involved to give statements. According to information obtained by Politis, a total of fifteen natural and legal persons are currently considered suspects for negligence under section 210 of the Criminal Code.
Who is under investigation
In practical terms, this means the individuals concerned are, for now, treated as suspects for negligence, albeit with varying degrees of involvement. According to information available to Politis, they include six officials – four from the Limassol District Local Government Organisation and two from the Amathounta Municipality – as well as nine owners of the building’s ten apartments. The latter group includes three legal persons, namely companies. Political superiors are not included in the scope of the investigation.
Authorities will summon the individuals concerned to the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department to give formal statements. Police will inform them of their rights and of the offences under investigation. Further information indicates that some have already been notified, with initial statements being given in the presence of their lawyers, as is standard practice when a person considered a suspect provides a statement as part of an investigation.
No criminal case yet
At this stage, no one has been formally charged and no case is before a court. Whether this will occur will depend on the final assessment of the investigative file. That file also includes scientific findings from evidence collected at the scene and sent for laboratory examination, including samples of concrete from slabs, columns and other parts of the structure.
Implications for district authority and municipality
Although it is still early, the latest developments are expected to add further pressure on the Limassol District Local Government Organisation and the Amathounta Municipality, both of which are already grappling with serious issues such as the management of dangerous buildings.
Any potential criminal prosecution of employees from the two organisations could also trigger the need for additional internal measures, such as placing staff on suspension. Such a move could effectively cripple key services within the two bodies. However, the law does not provide for automatic suspensions, and decisions would rest with the respective councils. At present, there is no indication that such action is being considered.
So far, the position of political leadership and the councils of both organisations has been to support their staff, while attributing responsibility for the collapse to property owners, shortcomings in the legislation and a lack of effective enforcement tools.