Coronavirus: Decree challenger loses court case

The Nicosia district court rejected defence arguments concerning the legality of the quarantine measures and fined a man €1,000 on Tuesday for attending a church service last year.

The man had refused to pay a fine at the time and the case was taken to court where his defence argued that health minister decrees were unconstitutional and had to be approved by parliament before coming into force.

According to a statement issued by the state Legal Service, the defendant’s attorney also argued that the quarantine measures were disproportional in relation to the restriction placed on the freedom of religion.

In a hefty decision, the court rejected the arguments, focusing on the legitimacy of restrictions based on constitutional provisions related to the protection of public health.

The court rejected the claim that the defendant’s freedom of religion had been curtailed, noting the measure’s impermanence and the fact that the core of the right had not been harmed since the faithful were afforded alternative solutions.

The man was fined €1,000 and ordered to pay the expenses.