The assessment that the Police is changing for the better and it is something that everyone should, regardless of parties and away from pre-election activities, recognize, expressed today the Minister of Justice and Public Order Ionas Nikolaou.
In statements to the Famagusta Police Department and answering a relevant question on the issue of creating a Corrupt Corps in the Police, the Minister said that "the package of bills we have submitted regarding corruption in the Police is in Parliament and the article by article debate has been completed. Most parties have submitted their views and have been discussed, the views of one more party are expected and I want to believe that by mid-November these bills will be approved as a package, so that the preparation by the Police for the establishment of the service can begin. internal control".
He added that "the bills have been submitted for many months and are a priority for the Police. The determination that we have shown both the Ministry, and much more the government and the leadership of the police is that phenomena of today and the past should be addressed "he said and noted that" all police bodies face such issues many years ago when "Our police's such corruption may have had a very limited impact on the acts of corruption and this was related to incidents that had to do more with the way in which power was exercised and the prevailing mentality."
He added that "in the last decade and even more, the phenomena of corruption have begun to take on other extensions, however throughout this period no one has decided to reveal and address this problem. It is the first time that such a systematic effort is made by investigating the specific phenomenon, recording the extent and the way in which it develops in the field of police and the consequences of these actions ".
According to the Minister, "specific measures have been prepared, such as the Internal Audit Service, such as changes in other police legislation to address this phenomenon. I think it is important for all of us to welcome this effort because if we continued to hide this phenomenon, what we faced many decades ago without serious impact and what we face today, in a few decades if we do not face it, its evolution will be like this. , that these gentlemen can actually replace the police themselves ".
For this reason, he continued, "what we are doing today is essential for the future of the police and the change that needs to be made. "The police are changing for the better and it is something that we all owe, regardless of parties and away from the pre-election activities, we must acknowledge it, even if some people want to criticize, the reality is here."
Activist Activities - Ampelopoulia
The Minister of Justice also stated that today instructions were given to ADE Famagusta on an issue that "concerns the region in terms of the activities of activists in relation to the prosecution of poaching and in particular the vines." "What we all have to do is, in a place where we have laws that apply and bind the citizens of this place, these laws also bind those who visit this place."
Therefore, he continued, "activists do not enjoy any immunity when they are in Cyprus and commit criminal offenses. They should be treated in exactly the same way as any citizen who either attempts to monitor their privacy, or attempts to enter anyone's yard, enclosure or orchard, this is a criminal offense and we must we are exploring it. As well as surveillance either with cameras or otherwise how, the way everyone moves ".
In Cyprus, the Minister noted, "no cameras have been placed on the streets because we believe that privacy is being violated. "Any foreigner who comes can apply his own rules and that is why instructions were given today by both the Chief of Police and me, in the ADE, to take the necessary measures and any complaints that are made, should be investigated."
At the same time, he reiterated that "in order to investigate all this, complaints must be made, it is not enough for everyone to say and regret. "The police have explicit instructions to investigate them and in any case where such crimes are committed, they will be investigated."
Anti-Corruption Principle
In his statements, Ionas Nikolaou also referred to the issue of incorruptibility for the Anti-Corruption Authority, noting that he had read "certain publications regarding the views of either the Auditor General, the President of the Writers' Union or the Journalistic Ethics Committee".
He added that at the recent press conference, "we analyzed the relevant bills in order to put them to a public consultation, which means that it can help us have the views of those who are interested. They were published for consultation purposes not for public debate and I am really sorry to read opinions for the purpose of criticizing the creation of this bill. "I'm sorry this is unacceptable," he said.
After stating that "we want to create this institution, we want to work proactively and with the aim of investigating corruption cases" he noted that "at the same time, any characterization of the effort that is made is unnecessary. "Opinions are what we want" he said and noted that yesterday he had a conversation with the Auditor General of the Republic "asking him to submit his own opinions to us. However, there is no need to publish issues that actually create a negative climate. It is a positive bill, it is in the right direction and through consultation we must find those who can help more in the purpose ".
He also explained that "we do not want to place any restrictions on the responsibilities of the Auditor General. nor of anyone else, nor to make the work of journalists difficult. "What we all need to know is that we are all in control and we all need to have a process that controls us, whether they are Ministers, or the Council of Ministers, or the leadership of the Police, or even any official."
Therefore, the Minister of Justice concluded "what is important is to find the right regulation, not to hinder the activity of anyone, but on the other hand to have the recommended ones or the procedures that will help through control to become more efficient ".
Source: KYPE