AG: Cyprus has hit rock bottom

THE COUNTRY’S top lawyer yesterday suggested all citizens of Cyprus should be worried after Monday’s murder of media owner Andis Hadjicostis

“Really, where things have gone, every citizen should be happy to be alive,” Attorney-general Petros Clerides said yesterday.

Speaking on Radio Proto in the morning, Clerides suggested the country had hit rock-bottom.

“If people like Andis Hadjicostis are murdered in the street, and no one knows where these murderous bullets came from then every citizen in this country should be worried,” Clerides said.

He said complacency was to blame for the worsening crime situation on the island.

“We’ve had a series of murders in the past and everyone was complacent” because these crimes involved a class of people “we didn’t belong to and thought we were safe,” the Attorney-general said.

“Things were not like this,” he said. “This situation cannot continue. People with no history whatsoever cannot be murdered in the street at 8.30 in the evening in a neighbourhood full of people.”

He said everyone, including himself, should assume their responsibilities.

“We also have an obligation to protect people. This situation is sad. What is happening in this country?”

Referring to the snatching of late former president Tassos Papadopoulos’ body a month ago, Clerides said there has been no break in the case.

“What is happening to this place? This really small place where our every move is known,” he said.

“Murder happens and no one knows anything,” Clerides said. “You feel you’re not doing your job.”