More than 14,300 pages of documents have been collected and are under examination by the investigation commission which is looking into the circumstances that led to the deadly explosion at the Naval Base “Evangelos Florakis“, on July 11th, 2011.

In a press conference on Friday, lawyer Polis Polyviou, who was appointed by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias as a single-member inquiry committee, to investigate events which led to the deadly explosion, told reporters that Friday was the last day of submitting documents and his associates are in full swing so that from August 22 to 26 they will make up a list of persons who will be asked to come forward for questioning during public hearings that will start from August 29, in an effort to reach a credible conclusion by the end of September.

Polyviou said that President Christofias might be asked to answer specific questions by the commission, which intends to ask one or two ambassadors who are serving overseas or even experts. He emphasised that the commission is not a court of justice, clarifying that he will attribute political and institutional responsibilities which led to the tragedy. Polyviou underlined that he is aware of reports that minutes from meetings held at the Foreign Ministry might have been tampered with and has seen minutes that have differences, however he did not specify from which meetings these notes came from.

Polyviou said relatives of those killed during the explosion may be present with their lawyers during the public hearings and if they wish they can ask questions, but witnesses cannot be cross examined because it is not a court procedure. However, he underlined that where state secrets are in jeopardy or for other reasons, the meetings will take place behind closed doors.