The Administrative Court rejected an interim application by Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos that sought to overturn the decision placing him on suspension from his duties.
In a ruling dated 11 February, in the case of Phedonas Phedonos versus the Interior Minister, the judge said the applicant filed a recourse requesting annulment of the minister’s decision published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 5 February 2026, which placed him on suspension from the date of publication.
Interim request examined
Together with the recourse, the applicant submitted a unilateral interim request. He asked the court to suspend execution or implementation of the challenged decision of 5 February 2026 until the court fully hears and completes the recourse or issues a new order. He also sought any additional order or remedy the court considered appropriate and just under the circumstances.
In the sworn statement accompanying the application, the applicant argued that both legal conditions for issuing a temporary order were met, namely apparent illegality and irreparable damage.
Police investigation cited
According to the ruling, the sworn statement shows that the applicant served as mayor of Paphos. The Interior Minister contacted the police on an unspecified date and requested information on whether authorities were investigating the applicant.
Police confirmed that they are investigating a rape complaint under Article 144 of the Criminal Code. On 4 February 2026, the minister announced that, based on the police briefing, he would suspend the applicant from the following day. Authorities published the decision in the Official Gazette on 5 February 2026.
Public interest and legal framework
The judge said the police investigation concerns an extremely serious matter and that allowing the applicant to continue exercising public duties while the investigation remains pending would conflict with the public interest. For these reasons, the court dismissed the interim application.
The ruling adds that the law requires automatic suspension when authorities investigate a mayor for a felony of this nature from the date the minister’s notification is published.
Because prosecuting authorities are investigating an offence that carries a possible prison sentence of three years or more upon conviction, the applicant entered suspension automatically on 5 February 2026 and remains suspended from that date, the decision concludes.
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