Top court to scrutinise attorney-general’s objection to file capital statements

Parliament has moved to file an objection over the president’s decision to refer the contentious capital statements legislation to the Supreme Constitutional Court, it was reported on Wednesday.

The hearing is slated to take place on September 4, with the bone of contention centring on the attorney-general George Savvides and the deputy attorney-general, who are now required to publish their capital statements.

Capital statements – also known as wealth or asset declarations – seek to provide transparency by revealing whether elected or appointed officials increased their wealth unjustifiably while holding office.

The attorney-general and his deputy have long been opposed to submitting their capital statements, arguing this would not serve transparency, and on the contrary would subject them to “unwarranted” scrutiny and to potentially malicious misinformation about their wealth.

Amendments to the law were voted through by MPs in July, broadening the scope of who is required to publish capital statements, and seeking to tighten up any loopholes. It now includes the attorney-general and his deputy.

President Nikos Christodoulides has moved to refer the law to the Supreme Constitutional Court on the grounds of unconstitutionality.

The advisor to the state over legal matters is the attorney-general.

The objection, filed by lawyer Christos Clerides who is representing parliament, seeks to rebuff the argument of the legal service that the attorney-general and deputy attorney-general should fall under the same rules as judges – who are not required to submit capital statements.

Parliament’s legal argument is that the two are independent officials – and are very much politically exposed persons (PEPs).

As such, they have a strong influence on public life but there is no transparency in their decisions, the objection says.

Capital statements have so far been filed by MPs, PEPs, ministers and the president, and they are meant to show the income and properties and business interests of the person. The statements are then published online.