No room for tolerance: AG on Paphos attack (Update 2)

Attorney-general George Savvides strongly condemned Tuesday night’s attack on a public prosecutor’s car, which also prompted her colleagues to go on a work stoppage on Wednesday.

The incident saw a state prosecutor’s car set on fire in Paphos. The car was completely destroyed.

“This was a brazen, criminal attack against a colleague that shakes the foundations of the state,” Savvides told the media.

He met Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and the chief of police in Paphos to discuss the incident.

“There is no more room for tolerance,” he said.

The car fire is the second attack against a legal service staffer in a span of a few weeks. The female prosecutor is known in particular for her work in relation to drug-related cases, while her husband is an officer in the Paphos drug squad (Ykan).

Police confirmed the 50-year-old was in her apartment with her family when her vehicle was set on fire around 9.30pm. Two other cars parked close to hers were also severely damaged by the flames. She was not hurt.

Savvides called on the authorities to protect public prosecutors “who, during the course of their duties, face organised crime daily”.

“We expect that the relevant authorities will fully investigate both this and the other bombing attacks against colleagues in Paphos.”

Savvides added that the three branches of the state – executive, legislative and judicial – must collectively confront organised crime.

“What is certain is that we continue steadfastly in the execution of our high mission for the rule of law and justice,” he said.

When asked about the measures the state should take, Savvides explained that it is the responsibility of the police to assess and judge the conditions and take appropriate measures.

When questioned whether he fears for his own safety, he said:

“I am engaged in a job that involves constantly confronting and trying to bring to justice those cases that violate the law. It certainly creates conflict with various elements that oppose the law, among other things, through our actions. I cannot say that I am secure, nor can I say that I am insecure.”

Public prosecutors stood in protest outside the Nicosia courthouse while those in Paphos called for a swift investigation.

“We want to express our anger and frustration,” the statement said. “This is an attack on justice and democracy.”

At the same time, they also pledged to continue working unwaveringly with the same zeal to protect the rule of law.

Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos also said he is “concerned about the recent surge in criminal activities over the past 25 days in Paphos”.

Earlier this week a police officer’s car was torched in an arson attack. On December 21, a car bomb explosion injured a 58-year-old prosecutor in Anavargos when the glass shattered in her kitchen door. She had been inside her home with her family when the blast happened and was taken to Paphos general hospital.

Phedonos urged the justice minister and the police chief to explore ways to address the issues in Paphos, including the recruitment of personnel.

“What we are reaping now is the absence of will and a real policy to tackle drugs and crime,” he told the Cyprus News Agency

Phaedonos recalled warning the police five years ago that drug networks and traffickers in Paphos were growing, creating networks of collaborators and continuing to sell narcotics unhindered.

He further revealed that specific individuals involved in drug trafficking in Paphos are known to the police.

“They have names and surnames,” he said.

Savvides, however, rebuffed that neither the attorney-general’s office, nor the police are aware of anything specific happening in Paphos to justify these incidents.