In a lengthy and particularly sharp statement, the Mayor of Kythera has publicly commented on the recent political turmoil that has erupted on the island, in response to the allegations against the Chairman of the Domestic Property Committee:

My fellow citizens,

In the face of the shocking event of the loss of the beloved and active elected member of our small society, Kosmas Tzortzopoulos, and all that has followed so far, I have consciously chosen to avoid any public statement. I did so with a sense of responsibility, individually and as a member of the Kythera society, even when I have been confronted with the most inane, vile and obscene personal attacks and have been the recipient of unacceptable expressions of hatred and expressions that go beyond the boundaries of decency and common sense itself, mainly through social networks and mainly (but not exclusively) by people who neither know me personally nor - even worse - had/have no knowledge whatsoever of the actual incidents with which they have impudently associated me. I did so with the absolute conviction that, under the specific circumstances, this was the right thing to do, first and foremost out of respect for the deceased himself, but also for his family and loved ones, as I believe that in the face of what shockingly happened and especially in the face of the loss of a young fellow human being, anything else is small and unworthy of concern. The same responsible attitude was observed in my institutional capacity, as Mayor, in order to avoid dangerous tensions and aggravations, which specific circles seemed from the very beginning to seek and cultivate in order to lead things to extremes in order to serve their own selfish purposes.

The Municipality of Kythera acted institutionally, doing everything it had to do to honour its worthy late member, as was appropriate for Kosmas Tzortzopoulos and expects from the investigative and judicial authorities the investigation of all aspects of the case. Furthermore, within the framework of its obligations, it has carried out the procedures provided for by law to fill the gap caused by the unexpected loss of the President of the Municipal Community of Karava.

I do not regret my above attitude, because I repeat, this is what I believe I ought to have done, both as an individual and a member of the society of our islands, and as a representative of the institutional role and duty I was assigned to serve.

However, it is with regret that I note that the above responsible attitude of myself and the Municipal Authority as a whole, made some people believe that they can cheap populisms and extremely divisive and toxic discourse, acting as common room, to take advantage of the situation by gaining microeconomic benefits and at the same time covering the huge responsibility for the toxic climate that they themselves have sought, introduced and cultivated with their behaviour in our local community.

And if the aim of their behaviour was to hurt me personally or my party, no harm done. «The mountains are used to snow.» But there is a problem here. a major issue of saving the cohesion of our local society, preserving unity and solidarity in the pursuit of the common good and the progress of our country. Further, gradually reveals a covert, but highly methodical and planned, attack on the sacred for our country Institution of the «Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera», by persons and groups who have always, sometimes secretly and sometimes more openly, opposed the Institution and its operation.. As our wise people say «what's meow meow doing on the tiles»…

As you obviously understand I am referring to the recent actions and announcements of the «Free Kythera» faction» in relation to the published allegations against the President of the Commission of the Cyprus and Antikythera Inherent Property Commission.

In order not to be the subject of misinterpretation, as some will willingly seek, I clarify that the complainant did very well and notified the Municipality (and by right the members of the City Council) of the facts that came to his attention, studied and recorded in his report, in order to investigate, as defined by law, the validity or otherwise. The complainant therefore did his duty as a citizen and member of the local community.

What did the Municipality do immediately when the complaint came to it? Did it forward it, and its documentation?, without delay, as provided by law, both to the Domestic Property Committee, which is exclusively responsible for the management of municipal (domestic) property and for taking measures to protect it, and to the competent Public Prosecutor, in order for the allegations to be subject to the necessary criminal assessment. I recall that the Municipality of Kythera and its bodies (collective and unilateral) have no competence regarding the management and protection of the Domestic Property, as this has been consistently ruled in dozens of court decisions to date. The only possibility, but also the only obligation which the law recognizes to the Municipality, is that of reporting the case to the competent Public Prosecutor for evaluation of the complainants, through the institutionalized criminal pre-trial procedure.. Consequently, it turns out that the Municipal Authority has done its duty in full. It worked, directly, without hesitation and second thoughts and without bragging about it, everything the law requires for the defending municipal interests. She shall remain committed to the performance of her duties and shall be ready to provide any necessary information and assistance to the competent investigating authorities whenever requested.

What the head and members of the «FREE KITHIRA» faction did respectively and what they seek as revealed by the Press Release issued on 14 March 2025 and the attached press release from 12^η their statement of claim of the same month;

Acknowledging in their report that «in accordance with Article 16 of Presidential Decree 272/85, the Commission of the Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera operates fully independently and autonomously, as its powers for the management of the entire Domestic Property are exclusive and binding», they notified the competent public prosecutor of the allegations in order to carry out a thorough investigation of the allegations with a view to «seeking responsibility and attributing it to those responsible». They did what the Municipal Authority did (before them).

But at the same time, precisely because their priority is not the exercise of duty, nor the protection of the Domestic Property Institution, as they falsely preach, nor the observance of legality, nor respect for democratic principles, which they often invoke without convincing anyone, with the above press release they have issued, acting as extreme populists, falsely accusing me personally and the opposition of a cover-up, of not taking responsibility, of a policy of equal distance and of inadequacy in dealing with such a serious problem.

The question logically arises what is the aim of the «Free Kythera» faction and what does it really seek with the publication of this Press Release?;

Given the widespread publicity this case has already received, obviously goal is not the information of the citizens and the local community, nor the promotion of this action on the part of the faction of Mr. Sophiou, which is certainly legitimate and desirable.

Reading this Press Release, which is accompanied by extreme offensive language, false accusations and divisive speech it is easy to see that the aim of the «Free Kythera» faction is to excite and fanaticize public opinion and to divide Kytherians by exploiting even their religious feeling. It is, moreover, characteristic in this respect that his references to «sacrilege», for «pre-modern caricatures with their own ... throne!» and for «marble slabs». Didn't the spiritual «guides» who advise them (who have done nothing for the pacification of our society so far, rather they do the opposite) tell them that especially in Lent such practices should be avoided? Is it any wonder...

This is a Press Release X-ray of the ethos and «politics» espoused by this particular party, but also of its hidden objective, which is none other than to damage the institution of the Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera «by winking and winking reverently» to the ecclesiastical actors who wish - against any notion of local history from centuries ago, laws, presidential decrees and irrevocable court decisions - to take over the management of the Sacred Shrines belonging to the Domestic Property and especially of their own palace, let us not hide!

So what is behind this press release and what is the difference between the actions of the Municipal majority that did its duty and what the head and members of the «Free Kythera» faction did?;

We we have done our duty, without seeking to derive petty party - political benefits, as obviously does the faction «Free Kythera», which boasts because it did exactly what we did, but instrumentalises the complaint against the President of the Domestic Property Agency, both to save itself politically and to weaken the institution.
We we firmly, unconditionally and constantly pursue the protection of the Institution of the Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera, unlike the «Free Kythera» faction which, despite what it preaches, opposes it. How else can one explain the fact that communicated its report to the State Land Service, acknowledging or even worse, seeking in this way to give that Service a role and a voice in the administration of intermunicipal property. Are the elected officials of this faction failing in their duty or not when they seek in such an obscene and fraudulent way to establish the Public Service in Kythera?;
We we distinguish the action of political institutions from that of ecclesiastical - religious institutions and in no way do we wish the Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera to lose its centuries-old and legally established character.
We in such serious matters we always position ourselves clearly, we seek to find the truth, without identifying ourselves with either the complainant or the accused. We do not «tread in two boats» in order to gain petty political benefits.
We we recognise and respect the rules of democracy. We do not question the decisions taken by the legally established institutions. We do not interpret the democratic rules as we see fit, nor do we apply them as we see fit, claiming that the City Council has cheated the citizens [«“screwed” the disobedient residents of the Karava Community»].
We respect the decisions of the Courts and recognise their judicial function in resolving disputes and dispensing justice; and we are not urging us to join, nor to repudiate any complaint. We are not judges..
We we do not separate the citizens and residents of Kythera and Antikythera into «young» and «old», «good» and «bad», «intelligent» and «ignorant». Shame on you gentlemen of «Free Kythera»! Shame on the «ethos» you want to bring to our country!
We we promote the unity of our local community and the pursuit of the common good and we do not wish, nor do we foster, the division of society.

Both as Mayor, and as former Chairman of the Property Committee, for which I have fought and struggled in times when some were working to dismantle it, I declare this: GET YOUR HANDS OFF THE PROPERTY! We will defend the Institution and its historical and legal acquisitions in every legal way and by every legal means, and we will expose to the Kytherian People those who fraudulently and systematically seek its dissolution.

It is obvious that the downhill path on which the faction «Free Kythera» is walking will lead our country to very unpleasant situations.

It is clear that time is running out, but at the expense of our local community.

It is sad that the head and members of the «Free Kythera» faction (as many as remain anyway) do not understand that the division they sow will fester like a gangrene destroying the healthy tissues of our society.

We call on them to rid the life of our country of their expediencies and hidden agendas.

We call on them to work with a sense of political responsibility and unity for the common progress and cohesion of our society in the face of the challenges and problems, large and small, that concern us all.

We call on them to abandon fanaticism and stop poisoning the world by spreading lies or telling half-truths.

We call on them to put the good of our country ahead of their partisan interests, but also the interests that work behind the scenes and are expressed through their Party.

We hope, even now, that they will not close their eyes and ears to the call we are making to them, which we believe represents the whole of our society.

We want to believe that they will rise to the occasion, that they will stop seeing the small picture of their factional survival and the pursuit of selfish ends and that they will turn their gaze to the struggles and the real needs of our country.

If they don't, there is only one solution left: RETIRE. Only then will they salvage what little morality and decency they have left...