Investigation and suspension of Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos amid corruption allegations

Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos, currently under suspension, is facing multiple investigations regarding criminal and disciplinary offenses dating back to 2022. The allegations include the unauthorized sub-leasing of Turkish Cypriot property, irregular municipal hiring practices, and the illegal use of a service vehicle, which Phedonos has publicly admitted. Furthermore, he is accused of misappropriating €1.5 million from the municipal employees' pension fund for land acquisition. Police are also reportedly looking into older complaints involving rape and domestic violence, alongside a claim of retaliatory dismissal by a former employee. Phedonos has denied all charges, characterizing the situation as an orchestrated attempt by powerful interests to silence him. He maintains that the investigations are a distraction from "videogate" and issues surrounding the President's campaign funding. Despite the severity of the claims, Phedonos asserts that he has not yet been questioned by the police and welcomes a formal investigation based on evidence.