02/05/2019 15:55
Justice and Public Order Minister, Ionas Nikolaou has resigned amid the furore that has been caused following the confession of a 35-year-old that he killed seven women, including two girls, all of foreign nationalities.
Nikolaou submitted his resignation during a meeting with the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades Thursday morning. The President accepted the resignation with deep regret, as he said.
Nikolaou came under intense scrutiny by political parties over the last weeks after the revelation of the killings and the police failure to properly investigate missing person reports.
He said he submitted his resignation for “political ethics” reasons alone, knowing that he bears no responsibility in the handling of the missing women reports, nor that he was ever informed about them by the Police.
He criticised the Police Force for possible omissions, adding that the consequences of these crimes touch not only the Police but the society itself and the Police and its members are part of the society and responsibility lies with all.
On his part, President Anastasiades described Nicolaou as one of his closest associates and underlined the minister’s political ethos. Anastasiades asked Nicolaou to remain in his post until he completes legislation for justice reform.
The President said he shares "the society’s shock and dismay over these unprecedented crimes" and assured "the Government`s determination to fully investigate” the killings and any acts or omissions regarding complaints for missing persons.
The President will have a joint meeting on Friday with the outgoing Justice minister and Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou.
A 35-year-old army captain has confessed that he has killed seven women, including two young girls and dumped their bodies at various locations, including a toxic lake and a reservoir. Four bodies were recovered but the remains of the two young girls and one more adult woman are yet to be found.
Nikolaou submitted his resignation during a meeting with the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades Thursday morning. The President accepted the resignation with deep regret, as he said.
Nikolaou came under intense scrutiny by political parties over the last weeks after the revelation of the killings and the police failure to properly investigate missing person reports.
He said he submitted his resignation for “political ethics” reasons alone, knowing that he bears no responsibility in the handling of the missing women reports, nor that he was ever informed about them by the Police.
He criticised the Police Force for possible omissions, adding that the consequences of these crimes touch not only the Police but the society itself and the Police and its members are part of the society and responsibility lies with all.
On his part, President Anastasiades described Nicolaou as one of his closest associates and underlined the minister’s political ethos. Anastasiades asked Nicolaou to remain in his post until he completes legislation for justice reform.
The President said he shares "the society’s shock and dismay over these unprecedented crimes" and assured "the Government`s determination to fully investigate” the killings and any acts or omissions regarding complaints for missing persons.
The President will have a joint meeting on Friday with the outgoing Justice minister and Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou.
A 35-year-old army captain has confessed that he has killed seven women, including two young girls and dumped their bodies at various locations, including a toxic lake and a reservoir. Four bodies were recovered but the remains of the two young girls and one more adult woman are yet to be found.
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