mp s — The potential lifting of MP Marinos Sizopoulos’s immunity is under consideration as the attorney general evaluates three significant cases that have captured public attention.
- mp s — The potential lifting of MP Marinos Sizopoulos's immunity is under consideration as the attorney general evaluates three significant cases that have captured public attention.
Attorney General Giorgos Savvides has called for an expedited review of these cases, with a decision expected by the end of November. This directive aims to hold meetings this month for each case, allowing for final decisions to be made swiftly.
Mp s: Criminal Allegations Against Sizopoulos
The first case focuses on Sizopoulos, a former leader of EDEK, who is facing serious allegations related to a property sale connected to the controversial golden passport scheme. The inquiry, initiated by the Independent Authority Against Corruption, uncovered evidence of potential crimes such as fraud, forgery, and conspiracy.
Investigators found that Sizopoulos and three other executives submitted a share sale contract to the Bank of Cyprus that misrepresented the sale price. The contract dated 17 October 2017 stated a price of €1.6 million, while the actual price of €2.025 million was documented in an earlier contract. This manipulation was intended to assist an Iraqi investor in qualifying for Cypriot citizenship, while also reducing TAXAN’s reported debts to the bank.
The situation escalated when the Bank of Cyprus filed a complaint, asserting that had they known the true sale price, they would not have forgiven nearly €1 million of the loan. If charges are filed, the process to lift Sizopoulos’s parliamentary immunity will commence, requiring court involvement.
Koumas Under Investigation for Conflict of Interest
The second prominent case involves Giorgos Koumas, the former president of the Cyprus Football Association. Koumas is under scrutiny for conflict of interest allegations that emerged from a report by the Ethics and Sport Protection Commission.
According to the findings from September 2023, Koumas, who owns companies involved in football broadcasting rights, has been accused of unfairly manipulating financial distributions for various clubs. The investigation revealed that he possibly created an “unfair advantage” by controlling the distribution of television rights money.
Following the initiation of criminal investigations, Koumas stepped down from his presidency on 3 June 2025, citing a desire to protect the sport from ongoing attacks against him, although he continues to hold positions within FIFA and UEFA.
Prison Documents Scandal Unfolds
The third case has uncovered a significant scandal involving the discovery of thousands of sensitive documents at the home of a chief prison guard. During an investigation into an alleged illegal canteen within the Central Prisons, police found 48,430 documents, which included classified materials and inmate records, stored improperly.
The documents, dating from 2018 to 2022, were discovered on 10 April 2025 and raised serious concerns regarding the handling of confidential information. The investigation revealed that the documents had likely been removed from their official locations and were improperly stored in locked rooms at the warden’s residence.
As a result of the findings, former prisons director Anna Aristotelous and several guards are now on compulsory leave while investigations continue. Police have arrested five individuals for questioning concerning the removal of the documents, which allegedly took place using prison department vehicles and hidden bags.
Implications of the Attorney General’s Decision
The attorney general’s upcoming decision on these cases is particularly noteworthy, especially considering the scrutiny surrounding Sizopoulos’s past immunity status. In 2020, Savvides had previously rejected a request to lift Sizopoulos’s immunity, leading to criticism when the anti-corruption authority’s latest report called for renewed action.
Sizopoulos, who resigned as EDEK leader in 2025, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The outcomes of these investigations could have significant ramifications not only for the individuals involved but also for public trust in governmental and sporting institutions in Cyprus.
