End the Prosecution of Oz Karahan and Giorgos Tattis

 

3 June 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The prosecution of Oz Karahan and Giorgos Tattis, which has been ongoing for two years, constitutes a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.

The arrest of the two activists in October 2024 was, from the outset, an unacceptable and unjustifiable show of force by the police. The peaceful display of a banner with political content on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the anniversary of Cyprus Independence could in no way be considered a threat to public order, while a comparison with the inaction displayed by the Police in cases of incidents of serious disturbance is unavoidable.

The ongoing prosecution of these two citizens is yet another instance of state authoritarianism, police arbitrariness, and the curtailment of democratic freedoms that are being documented in our country in recent years.

AKEL expresses its solidarity with the two persecuted activists and calls for the immediate withdrawal of all charges against them.