The decision by the Legal Service to file an appeal against the acquittal of former House President Demetris Syllouris and former AKEL MP Christakis Giovanis in the case stemming from the undercover report by Al Jazeera dominates Thursday’s front pages in Cyprus.
According to daily newspaper Alithia, the Legal Service revealed that a key prosecution witness withdrew after reporting threats to his life, a development that led to the suspension of the prosecution. The paper questions who may have been behind the alleged intimidation. In a separate story, it reports that the UN Secretary-General fully backed his personal envoy, leaving President Nikos Christodoulides politically exposed. The paper also covers recent severe weather and forecasts for the coming days.
Politis headlines its coverage “They disagree and will appeal,” reporting that the Legal Service identified judicial errors in the majority ruling of the Criminal Court and will challenge the acquittal. The paper also highlights warnings from the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) that if the national ambulance service is placed under the Health Ministry, emergency pre-hospital care could fall outside the framework of the national health system (GeSY). In another report, it notes that private properties have remained under requisition since 1963 or 1974 for the needs of the Cyprus National Guard without fair compensation.
Phileleftheros leads with the headline “Felony Investigation,” reporting that suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos appeared before Nicosia CID officers accompanied by two lawyers and answered questions as a suspect in a rape case dating back to 2014. The newspaper also reports that environmental impact studies for the “Horizon Towers” project in the Livadia area — involving six high-rise buildings — have been submitted to the Environment Department. Elsewhere, it covers a fatal road accident in which a 19-year-old woman lost her life.
Haravgi warns of a “Year of Blackouts and Water Shortages,” citing trade unions’ concerns that Cyprus faces risks of electricity outages and water scarcity. The paper also reports growing momentum behind a legislative proposal by AKEL to abolish the Office of the First Lady and transfer its responsibilities to the State Scholarships Foundation.
The English-language Cyprus Mail likewise focuses on the acquittal in the Al Jazeera case, noting that the Legal Service has announced it will appeal the Criminal Court’s decision. In other coverage, it reports that the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling on medical negligence in the death of a 10-year-old boy, and that the Bank of Cyprus posted post-tax profits of €481 million along with record loan growth.
The appeal in the high-profile Al Jazeera case and concerns over energy and water security are expected to remain central to public debate in the coming days.