The interior ministry said on Friday it is examining whether the circumstances of an ongoing police investigation into Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos could trigger statutory procedures placing him on leave.
The ministry has formally requested information from the police regarding the scope and nature of the investigation launched after social media posts alleged domestic abuse against the mayor’s wife.
The allegations have been publicly denied by both the mayor and his spouse.
The request was sent by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou to police chief Themistos Arnaoutis on Monday, a day after the police announced they were investigating material circulating online.
The purpose is to determine whether the offences under examination fall within Article 113 of the municipalities bill, which provides for the automatic suspension of a mayor if certain serious offences are under investigation.
Article 113 stipulates that a mayor placed on leave receives one third of their salary during the suspension.
In the event of acquittal or termination of the case without charges, the official returns to office and is entitled to full recovery of withheld salary.
A conviction would result in dismissal and forfeiture of the deducted pay.
The police have yet to reply to the interior ministry’s letter and are understood to be considering consultation with the legal service before doing so.
Investigators are examining three medical documents circulated online and are taking statements from individuals connected to the alleged events.
Christodoulos Konsolos, communications officer at police headquarters, said that “the police have been continuing their investigation since last Sunday, in the context of which statements are being taken, and evidence is being evaluated regarding the alleged abuse of a woman.”
He added that an official announcement would be made once the investigation is completed.
The investigation was prompted by posts from social media influencer Ioanna Photiou, known as Annie Alexui, who shared documents presented as hospital records allegedly linked to the mayor’s wife.
The police are examining the authenticity of the material.
Photiou is currently in Russia and is wanted in Cyprus in connection with offences including personal data violations, publishing false information and online harassment.
The mayor has welcomed the investigation, describing it as an opportunity to clear his name.
In a public statement, the spoke of a “merciless war” against him by an “alliance of political and economic entanglements and organised crime”, referring to what he called an “attempted assassination at personal and family cost”.
His wife has also rejected the allegations, saying she does not feel fear and does not require protection.
“Those who know me in my workplace, family and social environment know that I am not a victim,” she said, adding that the couple have lived ‘harmoniously together for two decades’.
Allegations of domestic abuse involving the mayor first surfaced in 2017 and were investigated by police at the time, but the case was closed due to lack of evidence and cooperation from witnesses.
Click here to change your cookie preferences