Politis

Administrative Court Rules RIK's Exclusion of Triantafyllidis Illegal

Published January 13, 2026, 10:23
Administrative Court Rules RIK's Exclusion of Triantafyllidis Illegal

The Administrative Court has ruled illegal the exclusion of lawyer Christos M. Triantafyllidis from a RIK (Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation) tender for legal services. The tender was announced in December 2020, and Mr. Triantafyllidis submitted the lowest bid. RIK rejected his bid in February 2021, citing a conflict of interest due to his position as Chairman of the Legal Council of the Democratic Rally party. Mr. Triantafyllidis appealed to the court, arguing that his position as a legal advisor to a political party does not automatically constitute a conflict of interest, especially for a position as an external associate. The court agreed with this argument, ruling that RIK's decision was incorrect. The Administrative Court emphasized in its decision that a conflict of interest cannot be presumed in the case of an external associate, a private lawyer, and that the position of legal advisor to a political party does not automatically affect the impartiality of the lawyer. The court's decision states that the grounds for annulment, relating to the misinterpretation of the tender terms and insufficient justification, were accepted. The Administrative Court's decision overturns RIK's decision and opens the way for the possible award of the contract to Mr. Triantafyllidis. This case highlights the importance of transparency and objectivity in public procurement procedures and the protection of the rights of candidates.