11 February 2025

Trial of Doros Polykarpou (KISA, Cyprus): the use of repeated legal proceedings to obstruct the defence of exiles’ rights

The Migreurop network offers its full support to its Cypriot member Kisa and to Doros Polykarpou, on trial from today for his fight for the rights of people in exile, and for having sought to shed light on the conditions of detention in the Pournara camp in March 2022, alongside Migreurop.

On 11 February 2025, Doros Polykarpou, a prominent human rights defender, co-founder of the Cypriot organisation KISA(Action for Equality, Support and Anti-Racism) and winner of the 2024 Front Line Defenders Award, appeared before the Nicosia District Court. He is charged with "unlawful intrusion" into the Pournara camp, "disturbing the peace", "insulting" and "assaulting" two camp security guards in March 2022. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

These charges follow Doros Polykarpou’s visit to the Pournara camp on 12 March 2022, where he accompanied Brigitte Espuche, Migreurop’s coordinator, to examine exiles’ detention conditions. During this visit, Mr Polykarpou was insulted and physically assaulted by a private camp security guard, in the presence of Ms Espuche [1]. They both reported the assault to the local police, but their complaint was never investigated, the Public Prosecutor did not take any action against the aggressor security guard, and Migreurop’s coordinator was never heard as a witness. Only the security guards’ complaint was taken into account, leading to the current proceedings.

The trial was due to begin on 15 October 2024, but the judge decided to postpone it until 11 February 2025, because the Prosecutor had not provided Doros Polykarpou’s defence lawyer with access to the audiovisual material recorded as evidence, despite a written request made in April 2024.

This trial comes against a backdrop of increasing intimidation, accusations, harassment and repeated attacks - including bombings - against KISA and its members over many years [2]. It also reveals the increasing harassment of rights defenders who resist security-minded, repressive and racist migration policies.

The Migreurop network strongly condemns the criminalisation of rights defenders. It expresses its deep concern for the recurrent criminal proceedings that target Mr Polykarpou, motivated by political considerations linked to his commitment and activities in defence of the rights of exiles in Cyprus. Migreurop calls on the Cypriot authorities to drop all charges against Doros Polykarpou, and to ensure that human rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or reprisals.

Paris, 11 February 2025