AKEL criticizes Minister of Defense over Kalo Chorio fire

The opposition party AKEL has accused Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas of being "irretrievably exposed" following revelations regarding a destructive fire at the Kalo Chorio shooting range in Larnaca. The party claims that the fire, which originated during a munitions destruction process, was actually part of a pre-planned exercise approved by the National Guard leadership and conducted in the presence of American military personnel.

AKEL officials stated that the Minister previously attempted to shift blame onto the local Battalion for the incident. They are now questioning whether Minister Palmas was unaware of the planned exercise or if he deliberately provided false public statements to protect himself and the government from accountability. The party asserts that the military leadership is currently attempting to cover for the Minister, which they argue is insufficient to absolve him of responsibility.

The political fallout centers on the discrepancy between the Minister's initial public statements blaming the Battalion and the subsequent revelation that the operation was officially sanctioned. AKEL continues to demand that the Minister take practical responsibility for the event, insisting that his prior public comments were an unjust effort to criminalize the specific military unit that was merely following orders.