Matsakis sues as party offers a stark choice
As his party summoned him to resign or renounce his immunity from prosecution, Cypriot Euro MP Marios Matsakis yesterday sued a local newspaper that revealed he was under investigation for allegedly seeking a bribe to get a policeman off charges of attempted murder. Matsakis, a forensic pathologist and activist against the British bases on Cyprus, elected on the center-right DIKO ticket of President Tassos Papadopoulos, is seeking 250,000 pounds (429,000 euros) from the Politis newspaper, which broke the story last Thursday. Matsakis, one of Cyprus’s six new EMPs, has denied seeking 17,000 euros from the police officer to issue a forensic report that would exculpate him. According to an Athens News Agency report yesterday, DIKO General Secretary Vassilis Palmas said Matsakis, who assumes his new post on July 20, should resign or renounce his immunity. DIKO will discuss the matter today.