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Lillikas says legal suit filed against him is ‘scandalous’
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Giorgos Lillikas is being sued for a decision that allegedly cost the taxpayer €1.8 million
FORMER minister Giorgos Lillikas is being sued by the state for a decision he allegedly made that could cost the government around €1.8 million.
Lillikas said his prosecution was politically motivated because he was a critic of the current administration but his claim was rejected by the Attorney-general.
The case concerns a lawsuit filed by the cattle farmers organisation demanding around €1.8 million as aid that was supposedly promised to them before the island joined the EU in December 2003.
It had been decided at the time that a large section of cattle farmers would take over distribution of milk upon accession as the organisation that handled that at the time would cease to do so due to incompatibility with the European acquis.
Lillikas, who was trade minister at the time, said the decision to go after him was “scandalous” and could only be interpreted as political.
He said the decision did not benefit him but a group of producers during the pre-accession period.
The former minister, who also held the foreign affairs portfolio later on, under the Tassos Papadopoulos administration, said he was not against state officials having civil liability for their actions provided that everyone was, treated the same way and not just “those who criticise the government.”
Attorney-general Petros Clerides rejected Lillikas claims, saying politics have nothing to do with the case.
“Mr. Lillikas has a right to think whatever he wants but I am categorically saying that it has nothing to do with any political motives,” Clerides said.
He said the state’s position was simple: “The state does not accept that such an agreement was made with the cattle farmers but if it was, it was done by Mr. Lillikas without any authorisation.”
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the government has no involvement in the affair.
