MP Nikos Sykas intends to file an appeal with the Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus, challenging the decision of the Democratic Rally (DISY) to exclude him from the party’s ballot following a complaint by a woman alleging assault.
The move was confirmed on Alpha Cyprus’ morning programme by his lawyer, Christos Pourgouridis.
Cooperation with police and legal review
According to Pourgouridis, his client has already given a statement to the police and responded to all questions posed by investigators. He added that instructions have been given to his law office to study the case in order to determine whether the legal requirements for a court appeal are met.
Presumption of innocence and natural justice
Pourgouridis said that, at first glance, the party’s decision appears to violate the presumption of innocence and fundamental principles of natural justice, as Sykas was not given the opportunity to be heard prior to the decision.
He stressed that complaints do not always lead to confirmation and described the party’s decision as “hasty”.
Role of party bodies and Supreme Court ruling
The lawyer also pointed out that the matter could have been examined by the party’s Ethics Committee. He further noted that, in its decision on lifting parliamentary immunity, the Supreme Court did not examine the substance of the complaint, but only the right of the police to investigate it.
Voters should decide, lawyer says
Pourgouridis described it as excessive to invoke the Supreme Court’s decision as justification for excluding Sykas from the ballot. He argued that judgment should ultimately be left to the voters.
As he noted, nothing stated by the MP in his testimony, in his view, justified the decision taken by the party’s Political Bureau.