The residents of Akrotiri are in turmoil due to the plans of the British Bases, which intend to install a new cluster, 32 additional antennas in the Akrotiri area, proceeding with the expropriation of an area of about 340 stairs of community land.
Residents claim that the area will be burdened even more. Already, as they claim, there are increased cases of cancer in the community, which is of particular concern to them. On this issue, as we are informed, epidemiological studies are expected to be carried out, as well as a private Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, in order to determine whether these incidents are related to the existing facilities.
The issue has taken on dimensions, with the Municipality of Kourion initiating the procedures and proceeding with a legal opinion, while the whole issue seems to be brought before the European Court of Human Rights. As it became known, the residents and the Management Committee of Merra Akrotiri decided to proceed with legal proceedings in relation to the intention of the Bases to carry out projects within the boundaries of the community, which is located in an environmentally protected area.
The mayor of Kourion, Pantelis Georgiou, was asked to comment on the issue by "F", who stated that the Merra Akrotiri Committee, which he chairs, has decided to take legal action against the installation of the new antennas.
"A lawyer has been appointed by us, Mr. Simos Angelidis, and all the data, legal issues and all the possibilities that the Committee can use are now being examined. We understand the difficulty in possibly securing a unilateral decree to suspend the process, however, we have decided to proceed with judicial measures, so that we know how far the case can go," he said.
Regarding the Municipality of Kourion, Mr. Georgiou noted that the municipality has also decided to proceed with its own legal advisor, Mr. Achilleas Dimitriadis, with the aim of promoting the case to the ECtHR. As he said, the process of securing a legal opinion regarding all possible measures has already begun, so that there is a complete picture of the next moves.
At the same time, as he added, a meeting has been requested with the President of the Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the other ministries involved.
"As soon as we have the legal opinion, we will proceed to a meeting with the Legal Service. From then on, depending on the decisions and instructions we will take, we will proceed with the required measures. The issue is now both legal and political, as it concerns the protection of the rights of residents living in the areas of the Bases, with the aim of ensuring a better daily life and quality of life", he noted.
