Disy MP Nikos Sykas on Saturday announced he was voluntarily waiving his parliamentary immunity, ahead of a Supreme Court decision slated for next week, which would have made the decision for him.
His party's executive branch decided he should be kicked out of the upcoming parliamentary ballot on Disy's ticket, following a complaint filed by the MP's partner last week, who reported him to police for alleged domestic violence.
She claimed the incident had unfolded while they were on a trip in Athens, and filed the report after her return to Cyprus.
Decisions expected
Sykas categorically denied all charges and in his statement on Saturday said he condemned all forms of gender-based violence.
The woman has since withdrawn her complaint for reasons which have not been publically specified, though police has stated it will go on with the investigation regardless. Cases of women withdrawing complaints against their partner for violence are not uncommon.
The legal service had filed the case to the Supreme Court requesting to have the MP's immunity waived. The hearing was slated for Monday morning, though it is expected to be cancelled following his decision to voluntarily waive it.
Disy's political bureau is expected to convene on Monday at 7:30pm to ratify the decision of the executive bureau, removing Sykas as a Disy MP candidate.
His full statement
"With a firm commitment to respect for human dignity, I unequivocally condemn all forms of gender-based violence.
From the very outset, I stated that, in order to facilitate the investigative process, I was prepared to waive my parliamentary privileges. Although the complaint has now been withdrawn, I publicly declare my resignation from parliamentary immunity. I wish all procedures provided for by the Constitution and the law to be carried out swiftly and without obstruction by the competent authorities.
To those who have placed their trust in me, and to society as a whole, there is only one demand: justice through truth."