Filenews 16 January 2026
The animal welfare organization "Volunteers for the Animals" publicly denounces the handling of a dead sea turtle by employees of the Community Council of Chloraka, talking about deliberate and violent actions, an attempt to cover up responsibilities and serious violations of the law. In a letter, it addresses the Police, the Department of Fisheries and the Veterinary Services, asking for immediate dismissals, criminal prosecution of those involved and full transparency, while placing administrative responsibilities on the Community President of Chloraka.
"Volunteers for Animals" carried out a technical analysis of the evidence presented in the video, with a new letter to the Chief of Police and the Paphos Police Department, the Community President and the Community Council of Chloraka, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) and the Veterinary Services, entitled "Technical and Logical Refutation of the Allegations of "Weight Accident" and Demand for Immediate Dismissal and Criminal Prosecution of the Parties Involved".
The announcement follows in full
The animal welfare organization "Volunteers for the Animals" proceeds to the testimony of the facts and what comes to light regarding the management of a dead sea turtle by employees of the Community Council of Chloraka. We are addressing all directions —the Police, the Department of Fisheries and the Veterinary Services— emphasizing that the video is clear. Any attempt or excuse to disclaim responsibility is an attempt to cover up (cover up) serious violations by persons who are obliged to manage and act in the public interest.
The claims of those involved about a "weight accident" are refuted by the facts themselves:
- The Physics of Throwing vs Free Fall: The video records instances where the perpetrator lifts the turtle (weighing about 80 kg) and throws it to the ground with a deliberate push. A fall due to inability to contain would be vertical. The momentum and the curved trajectory that the animal's body traces demonstrate the exercise of active force and complete control of the weight.
- Kicking as Presumption of Intent: The repeated use of the foot (kicks) negates any negligence scenario. Given the weight of 80 kg, the ease with which the turtle's body rotates ("turns") on the ground after kicking, proves that the impact was extremely violent and deliberate.
- Deliberate Targeting and Taunting: It is clearly seen in the footage that the perpetrator, after picking up the animal, deliberately rotates its body and throws it towards two of his colleagues. This move proves that there was no "loss of balance", but a coordinated action of throwing in a specific direction, turning the management of a protected species into an act of mockery and "play" between the bystanders.
- Transport under Running: The recording of the perpetrator running carrying the load of 80 kg definitively invalidates the claim that the animal was "unbearable" or that the fall was the result of fatigue or objective weakness.
Warning to the Community President and the Council of Chloraka
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMUNITY LEADER – THE TIME OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Mr. Community President, your leadership is judged by your reflexes. Your physical absence does not absolve you of the absolute administrative responsibility for the environment of impunity and lack of education shown by your employees.
We call on the Community President of Chloraka to stand up to the position he holds and ensure absolute transparency in the development of the case. Volunteers for Animals, as well as civil society as a whole, will not tolerate any attempt to underestimate our intelligence through flimsy claims.
It is tragic and extremely worrying that people mandated to serve the law and protect the public interest, turn themselves into perpetrators. This act constitutes institutional betrayal; The trust of the citizen in the state and local authorities is irreparably damaged. The position held by those involved requires increased responsibility and respect, and not the right to arbitrariness.
We point out that your physical absence does not relieve you of the following heavy responsibilities:
- Administrative Responsibility & Failure to Supervise: Be responsible for the lack of control over your employees who were acting without any protocols.
- Principal's Responsibility: The Council is civilly liable for the unlawful acts of its officials in the performance of their work.
Any attempt to downplay the incident or "cover up" because members or employees of the Community Council are involved, will find us opposed.
Therefore, we REQUEST:
- The IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL of the employees involved. Every second they remain in their position is an approval of their act by the Community Council.
- Their full CRIMINAL PROSECUTION for flagrant violation of the Cypriot Laws and European Directives (Directive 92/43/EEC), without discounts due to their status.
We clearly state that we will monitor the process closely, ensuring that no false excuse stands in the way of justice for this heinous act.
Yours sincerely,
"Volunteers for Animals"
