Nicosia: The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to lift the parliamentary immunity of Democratic Rally MP Nikos Sykas, paving the way for a full investigation into a case involving alleged violence against his partner.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Supreme Court accepted the request of the Attorney General to interrogate the MP for the offenses under investigation, ruling that there are 'genuine and serious reasons' of public interest and that there are no political or partisan interests behind it.
The decision was read by the President of the Supreme Court, Katerina Stamatiou, underlining the seriousness of the offenses under investigation. 'The decision is unanimous. The offenses being examined against the defendant in the application are serious,' she said reading out the decision.
The President of the Court noted that the offenses being investigated do not appear to have any connection with the political or parliamentary activity of the Member of Parliament, inside or outside the Parliament, nor has there been any relevant suggestion towards this direction.
The Court placed particular emphasis on the principles of the rule of law. 'The principles of the rule of law dictate equality of citizens,' it says, adding that 'everyone is equal before the law regardless of status.'