AG fury at Justice Minister’s ‘interference’

ATTORNEY-General Petros Clerides yesterday reacted angrily to comments by Justice Minister Doros Theodorou regarding charges brought against two Drug Squad officers.
Theodorou on Sunday questioned the Attorney-general’s decision, stating it was wrong to bring charges against officers who were only doing their job. The two officers were accused of assaulting a suspected drug dealer during his arrest, something which Theodorou says never happened.

A furious Clerides told state radio that he couldn’t believe that he was being criticised for simply carrying out his duties. He added that he would not bend to outside pressure regarding his decisions.

“Have you every heard me criticise or question the duties of another authority in the government. Are these people serious? Have I ever questioned the decision of the Justice Minister, even if I agree or disagree with his decision? How can somebody and especially a Minister come out and say ‘I disagree with work being done by the Attorney-general’?
“I am very sorry about being this angry, but this is not the first time that this has happened to me. I refuse to accept this kind of pressure from anyone.”

Referring to the case of the two drug squad officers, Clerides said: “This particular matter was initially handled by my predecessor and I am now handling the matter. How can people suddenly just ask me to dismiss the case? Is it my fault that the drug squad will be put on the line because of this case and will I now be getting the same reaction from other departments if ever they fall out of line?”

Theodorou responded to Clerides’ outburst saying the Attorney-general had the right to respond, but that his stance on the matter had not changed. The Justice Minister reiterated his comments, adding that the line between safeguarding the public from drug dealers and safeguarding the human rights of suspects was a thin one that was at risk of being unbalanced by the actions of the Attorney-general.

Theodorou said the two officers had not acted violently against the drug dealer, now serving time in prison, but had used force to protect themselves during his arrest.

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