The institutional crisis becomes increasingly deeper after special investigator Kallis’ report found criminal offenses by the assistant attorney general and the statement of the President of the Republic on the appointment of criminal investigators.

The legal department accepted a double blow yesterday by the findings of the criminal investigation by Panayiotis Kallis against Rikkos Erotokritou for bribery and venality and the President's decision to give effect to the respective charges of Mr. Erotokritou against the attorney general with the appointment of criminal investigators.

In his statement, the President did not make reference to the criminal offenses detected by Kallis’ findings, and stressed that the Cabinet will examine the appointment of independent criminal investigators to investigate the new data emerged. The new elements are Erotokritou’s complaints that the attorney general and other officials and persons committed the same offense for which he is accused, that of bribery.

The attorney general using harsh language accused the President arguing that “with the assistance of the country's supreme ruler the accused turn to accusers in a way that it is a shame”.

Uncharted waters

Despite of the rift between the prosecutor and the president, the legal handling of the Erotokritou issue is being driven into uncharted waters, as also in the cases of the two governors of the CB there are no regulations governing the process of independent officers prosecution to the Supreme Judicial Council and their suspension.

In his statements to StockWatch lawyer Kypros Crysostomides expresses the view that Mr. Erotokritou would be appropriate to refrain of his duties, provided, as he said, that he has the presumption of innocence until the court decides.

Mr. Erotokritou said yesterday that he would not resign and that he will continue performing his duties at the legal service.

Only the Supreme Judicial Council, that is the plenary of the Supreme Court, may dismiss the assistant attorney general, said Mr. Chrysostomides.

He stressed that this is a difficult case and needs caution by everyone, including the cabinet.

Mr. Chrysostomides further notes that the Constitution and the laws are "silent" about what Mr. Erotokritou should do after Kallis findings, as no legislator anticipated that an assistant attorney general could be the object of a criminal prosecution.

"It is up to him what he will do. Since there is not one governing body that will put him in suspension he should decide himself to be suspended or abstain from office. "

"In my humble opinion he should refrain of his duties. This is the right thing for him to do" Mr Chrysostomides suggested.

Yesterday was a sad day for the institution of legal service said lawyer Andreas Angelides, who suggested caution from all involved institutions.

He reminded that the Supreme Judicial Council that will examine Kallis findings, does not yet have available regulations regarding the suspension process of an independent official.

Referring to the revelations of the Attorney General that the legal service accepted interventions in the process of the investigation against Mr. Erotokritou, Mr. Angelides stressed that the phenomenon of interventions is reprehensible.

He noted that the Attorney General should prosecute those who tried to intervene.

Mr. Angelides also wondered why Mr. Erotokritou delayed to disclose the serious allegations he made yesterday against the Attorney General and four other people.

Former Attorney General Alekos Markides in his statements to StockWatch, indicated that the Constitution entitles the Attorney General to decide on prosecution.