Police officers to stay suspended

THE TEN police members acquitted of beating two students by the criminal court will not return to work until disciplinary proceedings against them are completed, said a police statement yesterday.

Justice Minister Loucas Louca yesterday revealed that a new disciplinary investigation would be launched against the ten following their acquittal, looking into other possible offences, such as the false charges of assault made against the two students.

“Police will continue the disciplinary investigation against them and their suspension will continue, because they may have been acquitted of criminal charges, but police will investigate whether they have committed other disciplinary offences,” said Louca.

“Certainly, their suspension will continue, while the disciplinary investigation is under way, independent of the Attorney-general’s appeal” of the criminal court decision, added the minister.

According to yesterday’s Politis, Police Chief Iacovos Papacostas, who is currently on sick leave, made it clear that there was no question of their return at least until after the appeal had been heard.

He also reportedly raised the question of disciplinary proceedings regarding claims by officers that the two students had assaulted police and the attempted cover-up following the beating in December 2005.

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