Collectors try to seize Cyprus minister's limo

Cyprus Trade Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, who leaves office in a week’s time after a second round of presidential elections, had to fight to keep hold of his ministerial limousine on Thursday when collectors tried to serve warrants to confiscate state property.

The receivers were acting on behalf of property owners whose lands were expropriated by the state but were not properly compensated for their loss.

The six debt collectors walked up to the Ministry of Finance to enforce a court decision to seize the movable assets, including BMW Series 7 limousines and office furniture, but were faced by Sylikiotis who had earlier been visiting the building.

A scuffle broke out as the collectors told the Minister to get out of the vehicle and tried to remove the driver and take his keys away.

Attorney General Petros Clerides admitted that he tried overturn the court decision that relates to a property worth about 1 mln euros that should have been used for a public school in 2003. The land was never used and three years later was returned to the owner, who also returned the money only to face a new expropriation order for which the state has not yet rewarded him.

The property owner now claims 5 mln euros in damages. But the receivers were acting for 30 other cases worth 15 mln euros.

Cases of land misuse are common practice in Cyprus where public officials accept bribes to expropriate alternative land adjacent to a building or road project, knowing full well that the matter will drag on for about five to seven years in court.