Palaichori Orinis leader removed from office following 2021 criminal conviction

Tasos Michailidis, the community leader of Palaichori Orinis, has been removed from his position following a mandatory forfeiture of office mandated by the Cypriot Ministry of Interior. Antonis Oikonomidis, Director of Local Government at the Ministry, clarified that this action follows a 2021 court conviction for severe bodily harm, assault, and trespassing. Although the conviction occurred years ago, the case was delayed within the Ministry until now.

Michailidis denies the legitimacy of his removal, characterizing the decision as a retaliatory act orchestrated by officials at the Ministry of Interior. He alleges the timing is linked to a unanimous decision made by the Palaichori Orinis Community Council on September 29, which formally complained about the conduct of the Ministry’s General Director and the Director of Local Government regarding the selection of the administrative seat for the Madaris-Papoutsa community cluster.

While the Ministry maintains the removal is a legal necessity, Michailidis has announced he will pursue a vigorous legal response to contest the decision. The case remains a subject of ongoing controversy regarding administrative procedures and the status of elected officials with criminal records.