**NICOSIA, CYPRUS** – The municipal leadership in two prominent Cypriot towns has been abruptly disrupted, with the mayors of Paphos and Lefkoniko placed on mandatory leave following the initiation of criminal investigations against them. The Cyprus Interior Ministry confirmed the suspensions on Wednesday, a move dictated by legislation designed to ensure probity in public office when elected officials face grave accusations.
The mandated hiatus for Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos and Lefkoniko Mayor Pieris Gypsiotis stems from separate, but equally serious, allegations. In Mayor Phedonos's case, the investigation centres on an accusation of rape dating back approximately a decade, reportedly brought forward by businessman Theodoros Aristodemou. For Mayor Gypsiotis, the probe encompasses alleged incidents of domestic violence that are said to have transpired between 2019 and 2023, prior to his electoral victory.
Under Article 113 of the Municipalities Law, elected officeholders facing charges that carry a potential prison sentence exceeding three years are automatically suspended. This legal provision ensures that public trust is maintained while judicial processes unfold. While on this enforced leave, both mayors are entitled to receive one-third of their remuneration. Should they be exonerated or the investigations conclude without charges being formally laid, they will be reinstated to their positions with full back pay. Conversely, a conviction would result in their automatic dismissal from office and the forfeiture of the withheld salary.
The Interior Ministry's confirmation of the suspensions followed a period of intense scrutiny and police activity. It is understood that law enforcement officials initiated their inquiry into the Paphos mayor’s alleged transgression only a day after a woman provided testimony regarding a decade-old incident of sexual abuse. The investigation into Mayor Gypsiotis, meanwhile, concluded in early 2024, with proceedings scheduled to commence in March 2026.
The suspensions are expected to be formally enacted upon their publication in the official gazette, with an extraordinary edition anticipated imminently. Approval for this publication is awaiting the return of Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou from Brussels. This institutional response, particularly the swift application of mandatory leave for elected officials facing such serious allegations, is being characterised as an unprecedented application of the current legislation, which was enacted in 2022.
In a poignant illustration of the tangible impact of these developments, Paphos Mayor Phedonos was reportedly observed at Paphos City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, collecting personal effects from his office. The events mark a significant moment in Cypriot governance, underscoring the stringent accountability mechanisms now in place for those in public service. The coming weeks and months will undoubtedly be crucial as these investigations progress, determining the future of these two municipal leaders and potentially setting important precedents for similar situations.