Christofias-watch blog administrator to sue Attorney-general

TWO people connected with internet blog, ‘christofias-watch,’ have sued the Attorney-general for the police seizure of their computers last May, their lawyer, Christos Clerides said yesterday.

The blog administrator, Xeni Xenofontos, and Elena Filippou are seeking compensation from between €500 thousand and two million euros.

Police action was unconstitutional as they used telecommunication data, subsequently obtained a search warrant and proceeded to hold on to the confiscated computers, said Clerides.

The police’s action was condemned by a number of MPs from all parties except AKEL back in July. “It’s clear that this persecution is political in its character and it is not a coincidence that ‘christofias-watch’ website… strongly criticises the behaviour of the government and its President,” the MPs said.

The case generated a debate over the nature of freedom of expression after Politis columnist, Makarios Droushiotis complained his life was threatened by comments posted on the blog. The police raid took place after the comments were posted.

The controversial comment read: “Only in Cyprus is it possible for someone like Makarios [Droushiotis] to live. Only in Cyprus is it possible for collaborators, whores and brown nosers of the conqueror (and the nobody in question is all of the above) to peddle their rubbish. The traitors deserve fire and axe. Throw the collaborators into a pit and cover them with lime.”

Droushiotis had said that the blog’s administrator was responsible for any content posted on their website.

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