JUSTICE Minister Loucas Louca was yesterday sworn in at the Presidential Palace.
He takes over from Kypros Chrysostomides who resigned last week in the wake of convicted rapist and murderer Antonis Prokopiou Kitas’ December 12 escape from hospital.
The president acknowledged that Louca was undertaking his duties under very difficult circumstances and at a time when all eyes were focused on the island’s security systems.
“The past several days’ events in light of the convict’s escape, who had for months been at a private hospital, have raised a number of doubts and a series of questions,” said Christofias.
“Doubts and questions about the way in which organs authorised by the state to guard prisoners and to protect the public from criminals operate.”
Determining possible responsibility or guilt for the escape, as well as how the issue had been handled, came under the competence of the criminal investigators appointed by the Cabinet last week, he added.
Referring to Kitas’ escape, the President appealed to the investigators to examine all aspects of the incident in depth so as to shed light on what had really happened, even if that meant apportioning responsibility in high places.
Christofias’ comment is unlikely to appease critics who are angry about how the debacle was handled from start to finish.
Furthermore, following Chrysostomides’ resignation, questions have been raised regarding Police Chief Iacovos Papacostas’ and Prison Director Michalis Hadjidemetriou’s possible involvement and why neither had stepped down. The latter has been temporarily suspended from active duty in the wake of the investigation. Both have refused to comment further pending the investigation’s conclusion, with Hadjidemetriou already securing legal counsel.
Christofias said every government and minister had a duty to evaluate procedures followed and the way the system worked.
Recent events also commanded that government mechanisms be “more demanding, more responsible and more effective” and less focused on bureaucratic procedures, he said.
The president thanked Chrysostomides for his productive contribution to the Cabinet in the last nine months and welcomed Louca on board in his place.
