The possibility of placing the Mayor of Paphos under suspension remains open, pending clarification from the Police on the nature of an ongoing investigation. The Interior Ministry is seeking to determine whether the case meets the legal criteria that would trigger suspension under the Municipalities Law.
Interior Ministry letter to Police Chief
According to information from CNA, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior, Ellikos Elia, sent a letter on January 26, 2026, to the Chief of Police, requesting clarification on whether the Police have launched an ex officio investigation, and the type of investigation underway, in relation to information concerning Paphos Mayor Phaedon Phaedonos. The purpose of the letter is to establish whether the police investigation falls under Article 113 of the 2022 Municipalities Law, which would justify placing the Mayor of Paphos under suspension.
What the law provides
Under the relevant provision, a mayor, deputy mayor, or councillor who is under investigation by law enforcement authorities for an offence defined under paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of Article 18, or for an offence classified as a felony under the Criminal Code or any other law carrying a prison sentence of three years or more upon conviction, is automatically placed under suspension from the date a relevant notification by the Minister is published.
Legal Service to be consulted if criteria are met
CNA reports that if the police investigation is found to fall within the scope of this article, the Ministry of Interior will refer the matter to the Legal Service of the Republic of Cyprus to determine whether the Mayor of Paphos should be placed under suspension.
A similar issue arose in the recent past involving another mayor. In that case, the investigation had already been completed and the matter was before a court, unlike the current case where an investigation is now beginning. At the time, the Legal Service decided that the mayor in question should not be placed under suspension.
Police investigation ongoing
Speaking to CNA, Christodoulos Konsolos, Communications Officer at the Police Headquarters, said that the Police have been continuing an ex officio investigation since last Sunday. As part of the investigation, statements are being taken and evidence is being evaluated in relation to alleged abuse of a woman.
Origin of the investigation and mayor’s response
The investigation was launched following material published on social media by Ioanna Fotiou, also known as Annie Alexui. The material consists of documents presented as hospital records which, according to her claims, are linked to the specific political figure.
The Mayor of Paphos has publicly referred to what he described as an “unrelenting war” against him by an alleged alliance of political and economic interests and organised crime.
Source: CNA