NICOSIA – The government has no intention of getting involved in discussions relating to criminal prosecutions of police and central prison officers in connection with the escape of a convicted murderer, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said today. “The government does not wish to enter the discussion which has reopened following a decision by the Attorney-General to press charges” against four senior police officers and one central prison officer, in connection with the escape last year of Antonis Prokopiou Kitas, from a private clinic, the Spokesman said. The government, he pointed out, remains firm on its goal to combat corruption and in that it shall not get involved in the ongoing discussion on this case. “We believe public discussion on such matters, and hyperboles heard about the case are harmful,” he added. He said the Attorney General’s decisions rely on the reports by the investigators, who focused on the law and the constitution to complete their task. Furthermore, he cited the government’s determination to immediately appoint criminal investigators for the Kitas case. Referring to the appointment of a new police chief, Stephanou recalled that it is the President’s constitutional right to appoint the chief of police and when he is ready to make the appointment, he will announce his decision. Stephanou said the government has full confidence in the Attorney General, who has come under fire from political parties and the media about his handling of the case. “I believe we have to be careful with what we say about the institutions and especially independent institutions”, he stressed. Five people – four members of the Cyprus police and one serving at the Central Prisons – will face criminal charges in connection with the escape of Kitas from a private clinic where he was receiving medical treatment, the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus has announced. In addition to this, three officers and three members of the staff of the Central Prisons will face disciplinary charges. One of these six persons will also face criminal charges. The announcement was made on Friday by Attorney General Petros Clerides and his deputy Akis Papasavas, at a press conference, during which they revealed that Clerides met on Tuesday former Police Chief Iakovos Papacostas, who resigned his post on Thursday “to facilitate the work of President Demetris Christofias”, as he said in his resignation statement. The five to be prosecuted in court will face charges relating to, inter alia, abuse of power, attempt to prevent the course of justice, negligence and non disclosure of evidence.