In Cyprus, Mercedes cars for the EU Council presidency handed over to police leadership
In Cyprus, five Mercedes E 450d cars purchased in preparation for the country’s presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026 were handed over to transport police leadership. The cost of each car was about €87,000, Cyprus Mail reports.
Who received the cars
The cars were provided to Deputy Chief of Police Panikos Stavrou, as well as to his deputies Marios Ayiotis, Michalis Katsounotos, Yiannakis Georgiou and Ioannis Mavrochannas. This decision prompted a complaint to the audit office.
Questions were raised within the police as to whether the cars could have been used for more important operational tasks. The Mercedes E 450d has 375 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. According to Cyprus Mail, cars with such specifications are usually associated with escort duties or other specialized tasks rather than the routine transportation of officials.
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Rules for using official transport
Deputy police chiefs may use official transport only for trips related to the performance of their official duties. The Chief of Police and his deputy are allowed to use an official car and an escort around the clock.
According to the publication, Chief of Police Themistos Arnaoutis decided to keep his previous car but did not prevent the purchase of Mercedes vehicles for other members of the leadership. At the same time, units that had used newer vehicles for official work were left with older transport.
An audit office report dated November 30, 2023, stated that junior officials, including assistant police chiefs, are not entitled to leased cars for exclusive use. The office also called for restricting the use of official transport by such officials, including for private trips.
