Kouklia community leader sacked by interior minister

The interior minister has sacked Kouklia community leader Michalis Nicolaou amid recriminations with council members relating to alleged financial misconduct.

Nicolaou was informed of the minister’s decision on Wednesday and on Thursday he handed over control of the community’s assets, including rubber stamps, to Paphos district officer Mary Lambrou until the end of the current council’s term this December.

The outgoing community head initially refused to comply with the handover but eventually he agreed.

In a letter announcing the dismissal, the interior minister cited the protracted tensions at the village with current and former councillors exchanging accusations relating to financial misconduct.

The sides have also lodged complaints with the police while the audit service is looking into the case.

Nicolaou told reporters he had been informed of his dismissal via a letter and that he was at the disposal of the authorities as regards the financial audit. Nicolaou claimed that the previous council, between 2012 and 2016, had embezzled money.

Nicolaou visited the district administration with his lawyer but he was told that the minister’s decision was final.