Legal service drops domestic abuse investigation against former MP Nikos Sykas

The Cyprus Legal Service announced on Tuesday that it will not pursue criminal charges against former DISY member of parliament Nikos Sykas due to insufficient evidence. The investigation concerned allegations that Sykas physically assaulted his partner during a New Year's holiday in Greece. Although the complainant later withdrew her statement, police proceeded with an investigation involving medical, forensic, and photographic evidence. In January, the Supreme Court unanimously lifted Sykas's parliamentary immunity to facilitate the inquiry. Sykas consistently denied all allegations of physical and psychological violence. Following the controversy, the DISY party removed him from its list for the May 2026 parliamentary elections, a decision he unsuccessfully contested. The Legal Service confirmed that the case file will remain pending for one year to ensure ongoing support and protection options for the complainant remain available. The decision to drop the charges was attributed to the absence of the complainant's essential testimony, which the prosecution deemed necessary for a court trial.