ATTORNEY General, Petros Clerides, has decided to stay criminal proceedings against Conor O’Dwyer. In a three line letter to Yiannos G. Georgiades, Conor O’Dwyer’s lawyer, Clerides said simply:
“I refer to the above case (793/2010) and inform you that I have decided to suspend the prosecution against your client Cornelius Desmond O’Dwyer.”
The case against Conor O’Dwyer was filed by the Paralimni Police Chief last October and was in connection with him uploading material to the Internet relating to his dispute with property developer Christoforos Karayiannas & Son Ltd. The case raised significant issues concerning freedom of speech online in Cyprus.
Conor and his wife Michaela are currently in Cyprus filming with a crew from the national ITV network for their prime-time series “Homes From Hell” due to be transmitted later this year.
Dear Mr Jones, please note Mr Conor O’Dwyer has had to deal with a lot worse than these people. So tell me, whose side you are on?
‘Suspended’ does NOT mean removed or quashed. It means exactly what it says, as in a ‘suspended’ sentence which can be reactivated as and when the authorities see fit.
Be afraid, Conor, very afraid – and especially when dealing with the likes of Petros Clerides, Cyprus’ very own ‘illustrious’ Attorney General, and his artful legal cohorts…
Why the use of the word ‘suspended’? Does this mean they can revive it at some future time if they wish to do so?
Maybe trying to avoid the same sort of protest and bad press Hungary got when they took over the rotating EU presidency in regard to their violations of freedom of speech. With their own ‘stint’ coming up next year.
It is already being argued in places that a Country (Cyprus) that cannot sort its own domestic problems out and has the last remaining divided capital city should be in a position to tell the other 20 odd countries in the EU how they should be conducting themselves.
Why did the AG start the case in the first place.
Hopefully Cypriot newspapers ask the AG in his role as president of the disciplinary board.
1. how many lawyers has the board struck off in the last five years ?
2. what is the average fine they issue if at all ?
3. Why does Mr Pashardi who is the board clerk not reply or acknowledge evidence/clarification ?
Perhaps some one one in authority, in Cyprus has slipped in a brain cell. Now if they can use the same brain cell to sort out title deeds, corrupt / dishonest lawyers ,developers , banks, estate agents etc etc.
Not much chance with three lines and still leaving the door open for possible future action by the state, or the developer.
Don’t hold your breath get onto your MEP, I know mine are fed up of me. Good that’s what they get paid for.
Could this be the first indication that the tide might be turning in the O’Dwyer’s favour? It will be interesting to see how the appeal to the Supreme Court turns out. Common sense must surely prevail?
The word “stay” does not sound as good as dropped. Or is the use of the word, an attempt at saving some face, by hinting that there was some justification in bringing the case in the first place?
Conor has got them on the ropes. They know the case is a non-starter and will only bring more adverse publicity. They will now hurry under the nearest rock. Well done Conor.
@Conor
Common sense prevails at last!
Best wishes to you and Michaela.
At last someone with some sense, about time !
I wonder if there is any way of extracting an explanation as to the reasons why the case has been dropped. This would give many other possible defendants and their lawyers an insight into just how ‘the system’ works.
We must assume, but I don’t see how, that the judge had grounds for referring the case for prosecution but it would do the country, its citizens and immigrants a lot of good to establish the grounds upon which these decisions have been based. If justified within the law then so be it, if not then either we have a massive training need amongst our judiciary and legal profession or someone must be held accountable and therefore a massive claim for damages is possible.
I wonder if we will ever know the logic of the argument and thought process.
Mr Conor O’Dwyer has stood his ground against these people. He is a true Brit!
Excellent news. A victory for freedom of speech! Some developers need to be outed and the Attorney General has possibly unshackled the likes of me from doing just that. I’ve had my own issues with a developer (AP) who continues to threaten me and removal of internet content.
They hate the fact we communicate this way and prefer the good old days and lack of communication of buyers. It’s time they and many other developers/lawyers started to act in the best interest of the client.