MVP

Tag: ELAM party

  • 2m debt — Ex-Strovolos Mayor Refutes €2m Debt Mismanagement Allegations

    2m debt — Ex-Strovolos Mayor Refutes €2m Debt Mismanagement Allegations

    2m debt — 2m debt — The former mayor of Strovolos has firmly denied claims that he left the municipality burdened with €2 million in debt. Andreas Papacharalambous defended his actions on Thursday, amidst a growing public spat with the current municipal administration.

    In a recent statement, the Strovolos municipality accused Papacharalambous of mishandling a significant debt owed by a private company. They allege that instead of reducing the debt, it has now escalated to €2.3 million, despite the negotiations initiated during his tenure.

    The municipality pointed out that Papacharalambous made decisions regarding this debt without proper approval from the municipal council, implying that he acted unilaterally. The debt in question is linked to unpaid entertainment tax, and the accusations stem from a decision made around 2020, when the former mayor opted to temporarily waive part of the repayment.

    In his defence, Papacharalambous explained that his choice to grant leniency was based on the company’s ongoing loan restructuring talks. He argued that insisting on immediate repayment could have driven the company to bankruptcy, resulting in a total loss of the owed amount for the municipality.

    He reiterated that the company had not received any forgiveness on its debt, stating, “not even for a single cent”. Furthermore, he has accused the current administration of leaking sensitive documents to the media regarding this matter, which he views as an attempt to undermine his reputation.

    As he navigates this controversy, Papacharalambous is also campaigning for a parliamentary seat with the Elam party. He suggested that the allegations against him are politically charged, aimed at diverting attention from more pressing societal issues. “The brutal distortion of truth and the attempt at misdirection from the real scandals of society amounts to a cheap political stunt,” he remarked, asserting that his political momentum will not be hindered by these claims.

  • Gavriel exhibition — Paphos Gallery Owner Faces Death Threats Over Gavriel Exhibition

    Gavriel exhibition — Paphos Gallery Owner Faces Death Threats Over Gavriel Exhibition

    gavriel exhibition — gavriel exhibition — An art exhibition by painter George Gavriel was abruptly removed from the Blue Iris Gallery in Paphos after the gallery’s owner received death threats, the artist revealed on Sunday.

    Gavriel stated that he chose to withdraw his works, which frequently explore political and religious themes, due to an escalating “climate of intimidation and terrorism” faced by the gallery owner. This decision was made to ensure the owner’s safety amidst a troubling situation.

    The threats reportedly began on Thursday, sparked by a social media post from a candidate of the far-right ELAM party concerning the exhibition. The situation intensified through Saturday, leading to heightened concern for the gallery’s owner.

    According to sources, the police are aware of the threats and are familiar with the identities of those behind them. However, the gallery owner opted not to file a formal complaint, indicating the level of fear and intimidation surrounding the case.

    Gavriel, who has previously endured scrutiny from the Ministry of Education for his work being deemed “derogatory of religion”, expressed his regret over the need to cancel the exhibition. He emphasised the difficult times artists face, stating, “We live in difficult times where artists exhibit under police guard, and take down their works through extortion and terrorism.”

    Adding to the unsettling events, Gavriel reported that on Saturday, three young individuals entered the gallery’s basement and removed some of the artwork, only to return the pieces later. This incident underlined the volatile atmosphere surrounding the exhibition and the challenges artists face in expressing their work freely.