UCy rector to sue MP Themistocleous for slander

UNIVERSITY of Cyprus rector Constantinos Christofides confirmed on Friday that he plans to take legal action against controversial DISY MP Andreas Themistocleous after being accused of bribery and abuse of power.

On March 15, during a house education committee meeting, Themistocleous accused Christofides and former rector Stavros Zenios of abusing the Diogenes Business Incubator, a project aimed at transforming Cyprus into an eastern  Mediterranean centre of high technology research and innovative ideas through supporting the creation and development of innovative start-ups.

Apart from personally accusing the two university officials, the MP also denounced the University of Cyprus for taking bribes from prospective students for admission to the university.

“I will request from the university to take all the necessary legal measures to ensure that it is protected against such peremptory and unacceptable behaviour,” Christofides said.

This is not the first time the university has been targeted by Themistocleous. Last September, investigations were conducted after OELMEK and the MP accused the university of admitting family relations to the university. No irregularities were found as a result.

At the time, the deputy called Christofides “the rector of illegal practice, lawlessness, amoralism, nepotism and having things done because that’s what he wants.”

Themistocleous already faces legal action for a string of traffic offenses. He appeared in court on Friday morning to face the charges after his immunity was lifted by the Supreme Court in January. The hearing was postponed until April 4.

 

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