Suspension of criminal prosecution in rape cases involving a political figure

Priority question for written answer P-003618/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Fidias Panayiotou (NI)

A recent decision by the Deputy Attorney General of Cyprus to suspend criminal prosecution in a rape case involving a political figure, without sufficient justification and relying on sexist stereotypes, has raised serious concerns. This is not an isolated incident. More broadly, there appears to be a lack of transparency and independence in cases involving political figures, where arbitrary suspensions of criminal prosecutions risk undermining protection against corruption and the principle of equality before the law.

Can the Commission clarify the following:

• 1.How does the Commission ensure that the Member States respect their obligations under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular concerning equality before the law and the right to an effective remedy?
• 2.How does the Commission monitor potential risks to the rule of law where prosecutorial independence and transparency are called into question?

Submitted: 18.9.2025