MP to face seven charges for speeding offences

DISY MP Andreas Themistocleous will appear before the Nicosia District court on March 18, after the Legal Service filed seven charges against him on Tuesday.

Themistocleous had his immunity from prosecution – which comes with a parliamentary seat – lifted by the Supreme Court last month after Attorney General Costas Clerides asked that he be prosecuted for repeated traffic violations.

The charges facing Themistocleous include violating the speed limit, refusing to obey a police officer’s instructions and ignoring a traffic sign.

According to the charge-sheet, all offences took place in 2014 and 2015.

When lifting Themistocleous’ immunity the Supreme Court said “the behaviour, words and deeds attributed to the defendant leave no room for different treatment”.

According to police, Themistocleous had been caught driving at a speed of 172 km/h on April 4, 2015 – 72km over the legal limit – and at 170km/h on February 12, 2015, 141km/h on October 14, 2014, and 91km/h in a 50km/h zone on July 10, 2014. He is also accused of violating a traffic signal – the white continuous line in the middle of the road.

Following the ruling, Themistocleous said he would be vindicated by the facts and realities and announced a news conference for the coming days where he is expected to give his side of the story. He has yet to hold it.

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