The loss of TNT explosive material from a National Guard firing range, a legal opinion on state funding for political parties, a new investment by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) at the Dhekelia power station, the status of regulations governing the registration of psychologists, and charges facing a police officer alleged to have assisted a detainee are the main issues featured on the front pages of Cyprus newspapers on Saturday, 31 January.
Alithia, under the headline “Fears TNT Could End Up in Criminal Hands”, reports that investigations by the National Guard and the police are continuing into the disappearance of 13.6 kilogrammes of explosive material from the Kalo Chorio firing range. Elsewhere, the paper refers to a critical juncture for the Cyprus problem and reports that the island has been blanketed by dust, with a more intense wave likely to follow.
Politis, leading with the headline “€7m Paid Out, Party Debts Cleared”, writes that party coffers were replenished on Friday following a legal opinion by the Law Office approving the payment of state funding to political parties. In other coverage, it reports that specialist doctors under the General Healthcare System (GeSY) share a total of €256 million in fees, while also noting the start of the trial over prison documents, with the first hearing held on Friday for eight defendants.
Phileleftheros, under the headline “EAC Invests €180m in Dhekelia”, reports that the Electricity Authority of Cyprus is moving ahead with new investments at the Dhekelia power station, including new generation units and an energy storage system. Elsewhere, it writes that the University of Cyprus’ Department of History and Archaeology will move into the Faneromeni building instead of the planned School of Architecture. The paper also reports that MEP Fidias Panayiotou will be examined by a European Parliament committee over remarks in which he used the term “crazy”.
Haravgi, headlined “Deafening Silence at the Health Ministry”, reports that private interests are blocking regulations governing the registration of psychologists. In other articles, it writes that police are examining the mobile phone of an officer who was frequently entering and leaving the Central Prisons, and reports comments by the Commissioner for Children’s Rights warning of the absence of a support network for new parents.
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the main headline “Police Officer Faces Abuse of Power Charges”, reports that CCTV footage appears to show a police officer - who has since been arrested and remanded in custody - giving his mobile phone number to a suspect detained in Larnaca. Elsewhere, the paper reports that the National Guard is investigating the disappearance of 13.6 kilogrammes of TNT and that MP Irene Charalambidou has denied reaching an agreement with ALMA ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.