ALITHIA: “Justice in crisis”. Reporting on Attorney-general Solon Nikitas’ decision to resign following the acquittal by the Supreme Court of former health minister Dina Akkelidou, the daily commented that it was the apotheosis of political and legal ethics, a very rare phenomenon for Cyprus. Nikitas said there was no point in him continuing to hold his office and left innuendos concerning the separation of powers.
HARAVGHI: “Justice prevailed”. Under that headline, AKEL’s mouthpiece commented that Akkelidou was acquitted and along with her the popular feeling was vindicated. The decision was a slap in the face for the attorney-general who submitted his resignation, Haravghi said. The former minister said she was fully satisfied with the court’s decision, while her party said it was a vindication for her and President Tassos Papadopoulos.
SIMERINI: “All guns blazing”. Reporting on Nikitas’ resignation, the daily quoted legal experts who appeared divided over the Supreme Court decision. DISY deputy Ionas Nicolaou said the decision introduced new elements, which suggested a different approach that in the past, while his DIKO counterpart Andreas Angelides said the decision should be respected. New Horizons deputy Christos Clerides suggested that Nikitas showed too much sensitivity.
MACHI: “Decision gives right of intervention”. The Supreme Court decision has overturned the current practice regarding interference with justice, when for the first time it took into consideration the perpetrator’s intention. The intention was not considered in the past but from now on a judge would not judge whether there was perversion of justice but would also examine the intentions.
POLITIS: “There is sensitivity after all”. The daily reported on the attorney-general’s resignation commenting that there was sensitivity after all. Nikitas chose to resign, in a bid to defend the institutions and his personal dignity, Politis said. He made clear suggestions concerning the Supreme Court, stressing the need for a separation of powers. Nikitas suggested that the decision had been influenced by political factors.
PHILELEFTHEROS: “He left with a bang”. The daily chose a different angle on the attorney-general’s resignation, reporting instead on the succession scenarios. Among the candidates to take over from Solon Nikitas is assistant Attorney-general Petros Clerides and controversial state attorney Akis Papasavvas whose term in office had been extended recently amid a barrage of criticism. The daily suggested however that there were some other names who could, at the end of the day, find themselves on the list.
