The Legal Tussle Intensifies
In a significant development in the ongoing tussle within Cyprus’ legal framework, the legal representatives of Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides are preparing to mount a strong defense against the attorney-general’s office. This Friday marks a pivotal moment as Michaelides’ lawyers file a 75-page court objection in response to the attorney-general’s application for his removal.
The application by the attorney-general, which alleges “conduct unbecoming” by Michaelides, initiated a countdown for the auditor-general to respond. With the 21-day deadline approaching its end, the legal team, comprising notable figures such as Joe Triantafyllides, Pambos Ioannides, and Christos Clerides, is set to challenge the application robustly.
Should the court side with the auditor-general by accepting his objection, it would signify a swift victory for Michaelides. However, a rejection would pave the way for a full-fledged legal battle, with a hearing date to be determined for the core issues at hand. This case could potentially bring past confrontations to light, where public officials have previously been at odds with the auditor-general over various allegations.
The intensity of the dispute is further underscored by the possibility of high-profile testimonies, including that of President Nikos Christodoulides. The underlying friction between Michaelides and the attorney-general’s office has been escalating, particularly after accusations from Michaelides of a conflict of interest involving deputy AG Savvas Angelides, which in turn led to counter-accusations of Michaelides “overstepping his boundaries.”
This legal confrontation is only the second instance in the Republic of Cyprus where an independent state official’s suspension has been sought. The case echoes the previous scenario involving Rikkos Erotokritou, former deputy attorney-general, who was suspended in 2015 and later sentenced for multiple offenses.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the impending court decision that will either quell or fuel what promises to be a landmark legal showdown.
