A case involving two six-year-old girls testing positive for cocaine is being heard in court. Their father admitted to using drugs at home but denied supplying them to his daughters. His lawyer requested a mitigation of his sentence, while the children's mother fled Cyprus after the report. The case is ongoing, with the father under restrictive conditions.
Philippos Michaelides, son of Odysseas Michaelides, expressed his pride for his father through a post, citing Nikos Kazantzakis. He acknowledges the injustice faced but emphasizes that his father remains proud and optimistic. He criticizes the Supreme Court's decision as arbitrary and filled with bias. He asserts that principles and honor are essential and undeniable values.
The Audit Office continues its operations, according to the Deputy Attorney General, but there are questions regarding the status after the dismissal of General Auditor Odysseas Michailidis. A lawyer referenced an opinion by Kriton Tornaritis emphasizing that the position of General Auditor cannot remain vacant. The President of the Republic has a constitutional obligation to appoint a new Attorney General so that the legal service functions properly. The lack of appointment would leave the Audit Office without leadership.
RAEK is expected to announce changes to the regulatory framework of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection tomorrow. The changes include granting revenue to the implementing body and extending the profit period. Additionally, the Greek government has agreed to share costs in case of possible interruptions to the interconnection. Further decisions on pending issues are expected in the future.
The Administrative Court rejected the appeals of seven pharmacies against the decree concerning their operating hours. The owners sought to annul the provisions related to their duty to operate overnight. The Court ruled that the regulations are of a normative nature and thus not subject to review. Consequently, the requests for suspension of the decree were also dismissed.
Two candidates are being considered for the position of Auditor General following the departure of Odysseas Michailidis. The first candidate has good relations with the Presidential Office and is willing to cooperate easily. The second candidate has worked with the previous government and is seen as more approachable by employees. Both candidates come from the public sector.
President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Mitsotakis reaffirmed Cyprus and Greece's commitment to the electricity interconnection project, which is of strategic and economic importance. Christodoulides informed Mitsotakis about the Cabinet's decision regarding this initiative. The Republic of Cyprus aims to participate in the project's equity as soon as possible. This initiative involves advanced consultations with third countries.
The government is planning significant changes to the Audit Office and the Legal Service, sparking reactions. Following Odysseas Michailidis's dismissal, the scheduled meeting with the Minister of Justice will not take place. The changes include the creation of a new independent body for criminal decisions. There are already voices against these proposed changes from former officials expressing concerns about the burden on citizens.
The Supreme Court's decision to suspend Odysseas Michailidis has caused political tremors in Cyprus. Members of DISY and AKEL exchanged accusations regarding the decision and issues of corruption. DISY's Dimitris Dimitriou emphasized the need for clear positions on the court's ruling, while AKEL countered that DISY's protests are hypocritical. Political priorities and the President's presence at significant events were also discussed during the exchanges.
The government rejects the accusations regarding the President's absence during the crisis. The spokesperson explains that the President's trip to Athens was scheduled and could not be postponed. He notes that others' judgments may stem from personal experiences. Regarding the protests planned by AKEL, he states that all political forces have the right to demonstrate within the law.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides to discuss their coordination ahead of the UN General Assembly. They stressed the importance of collaboration for regional security due to increasing tensions in the Middle East. The discussion also covered the progress of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project, which requires funding and agreements. Both leaders recognize the need to resume talks regarding the Cyprus issue.
Two suspects were arrested for the incidents at the AlphaMega stadium. The 22-year-old admitted to entering the stadium without a ticket, while the 24-year-old was identified through his fan card. Both were remanded in custody for three days. A total of nine people are involved in the incidents, with another 26 currently being sought.
Mr. Philippos Michailidis, father of Odysseas Michailidis, expresses his pride for his son through a moving letter. He comments on his son's dismissal from the position of General Auditor, condemning the judges for their decision, which he sees as detrimental to Cyprus. He cites examples from Greek history of innocent people who were wrongfully condemned and warns about the implications of this decision. The letter strongly emphasizes the need to protect honest workers in the country.
The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, will attend the independence anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus on October 1st. She will witness the military parade and be awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Cyprus. This is the first of two significant visits scheduled for October. On October 23rd, the new President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, is expected to visit Cyprus.
The Control Committee paused its meeting to honor the work of Odysseas Michaelides in combatting corruption. Irini Charalambidou stated that the Audit Service plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability. She also pointed out the need to overcome attempts at silencing and intimidation in the fight against corruption. She thanked Odysseas Michaelides for his contributions.
Hezbollah launched an attack on northern Israel with anti-tank missiles, resulting in injuries. The Israeli Defense Forces retaliated by striking Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The organization stated it will continue its fight against Israel. Such clashes highlight the ongoing tensions in the region.
According to the new bill, public employees will be able to work from home for up to 100 days a year, with a maximum of two days per week. Teleworking days will be granted based on service needs and require approval from the supervisor. Teleworking is voluntary, and unsatisfactory performance may lead to the rejection of future requests. Employees in positions requiring physical presence will be excluded from this arrangement.
The Health Insurance Organization fined 17 doctors for regulatory violations in their claims submissions. Sixteen orthopedic doctors submitted reimbursement requests that did not meet the requirements, while a urologist mistakenly registered claims for ultrasound procedures. The total fines amounted to €5,000. This disclosure is part of the Organization's efforts to strengthen oversight.
The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss Odysseas Michailidis has sparked significant reactions in society. Many citizens are expressing their support for him and are concerned about increasing corruption. The dismissal is seen by some as a failure of the Cypriot justice system, raising fears about freedom of criticism. Citizens regard the decision as a result of a scandalous regime.
Nicosia and Athens maintain cautious expectations regarding progress toward the upcoming trilateral meeting. Leaders are meeting before the UN General Assembly, hoping to coordinate their efforts for a positive development in Cyprus. President Christodoulides emphasizes the importance of dialogue and human rights, while Foreign Minister Gerapetritis highlights the need to bring the Cyprus issue back to the UN priorities.
The court's decision to suspend Odysseas Michailides is causing political tremors. He accuses the former and current Presidents of a coordinated effort against him, raising concerns over transparency issues. The ruling coalition parties are worried about public reactions and the implications for the government. Michailides's statement about continuing the fight against corruption raises interest about his future moves.
The Greek government appears dissatisfied with Cyprus's decision regarding the electrical connection between the two countries. Developments are expected in the meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides. Greece is demanding clear decisions from Cyprus regarding investment in the project. Without immediate advancements, the continuation of the project may be in question.
The Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that Odysseas Michailidis, the Auditor General, should be dismissed due to inappropriate behavior. The judges found no mitigating factors and emphasized that his actions exceeded the boundaries of his institutional role. They rejected his arguments and highlighted a lack of objectivity in his actions. The decision is clear and leaves no room for dispute.