ALITHIA: “Lawyers to handle catharsis”. Paphos Bishop Chrysostomos has suggested the appointment of a committee of lawyers and accountants for an in-depth investigation of the Archbishopric’s financial activities over the last 10 years and whether criminal offences have been committed during that period. The committee would also investigate whether the Church could reclaim property that had mysteriously been turned over to its subjects.
HARAVGHI: “Denktash handing out Greek Cypriot title deeds to settlers”. The government was furious with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash’s decision to allocate Greek Cypriot property to Turkish settlers ahead of the upcoming elections in the north, the paper reports. Foreign Minister George Iacovou said the government would report Denktash to the United Nations and the Security Council, as well as to countries that influence him.
SIMERINI: “Attorney-general demands stricter punishment for Paphos school stabbing”. Attorney-general Solon Nikitas has demanded that a 17-year-old Paphos boy face the full consequences according to the law after last year’s stabbing of a fellow student at a Polis Chrysochous lyceum. Public opinion and the state asked that Nikitas be lenient on the suspect, but outraged relatives of the victim have asked that the suspect’s sentencing be made as an example to other potential young criminals.
MACHI: “New promises to potato farmers”. Agriculture Minister Timis Efthymiou met this week with potato farmers’ representatives to discuss ways to ease tension between government and farmers after renewed threats of industrial action unless their demands were met. Speaking after the meeting, Efthymiou said the government was committed to dealing with the problems faced by the farmers. He said problems should not be solved by strikes but with dialogue.
POLITIS: “Government keeps promise to Paphos gypsies”. Interior Minister Andreas Christou has kept his promise to homeless gypsies living in Makounta near Polis Chrysochou. The gypsies, who came over from the north, have been living in squalid conditions for over a year. But a government pledge to provide education and free housing for the gypsies came into effect yesterday when a bus took 25 children to their new school.
PHILELEFTHEROS: “Prison chief: ‘Nobody to blame for convict escape’”. In a report sent to the Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary, Prison Warden Panicos Kyriacou said an investigation showed no one was to blame for the escape of convict Andreas Onoufriou. According to the paper’s sources, Kyriacou’s report only revealed the events before the convict’s escape and noted the problem the Central Prisons were facing with lack of staff.
