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- Ελληνικά
I have been informed in detail about the case of the missing special constable Mr Theodoulos Solomou and first of all I want to express my regret that a case concerning a missing compatriot continues to remain pending for several years. For this reason, I discussed the matter privately with the Chief of Police, who informed me of the actions that the Police have taken so far to restore Mr Solomos to its ranks and to ensure that he is duly honoured, as are the other missing members of the force.
Considering all the evidence that has been brought before me, both by the Police and by the letters of Mr. Solomos' family to my predecessors, I understand that the most important request that remains pending is for the honorary appointment and promotion of Mr. Solomos to the rank of Sergeant, on the basis of the relevant provisions of the Police Act.
I have therefore discussed the matter with the Chief of Police, who has the statutory authority, and we have concluded that this should be reconsidered in the light of recent sworn testimony secured by the family from our missing man's co-relatives about his activities during the period from his dismissal until his abduction by the Turks on 14 August 1974, while being guided by the principle of equal treatment with other missing members of the force who perished under similar circumstances.
Indeed the Chief has proceeded to re-evaluate the matter, and as I have been informed has concluded that, on the basis of the evidence before him today, he intends to recommend the appointment and promotion of Mr. Theodoulos Solomos to the rank of Sergeant on the basis of the provisions of Article 17 (9) (a) and (b) of the Police Act.
This pleasant development, which will of course receive my approval, I consider that it resolves in an appropriate manner an issue that has been pending for too long with a humanitarian and patriotic dimension, demonstrating the respect of the Police, the Ministry and the Government to all members of the force who put their lives at the disposal of the country during the dark days of the Turkish invasion. I expect that with this development all the contentious issues before the court in two related cases will be reduced and, why not, settled. Even if these are not resolved in their entirety, I am confident that their resolution is made easier for the benefit of all concerned.
The Chief is here and can give you any further details you may require, both as to his proposal for the appointment and promotion of Mr. Solomos and the other actions he has taken to honour the missing member of the police force.
(AF/EATH)
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