AKEL phrased it very politely indeed. The clash between the Attorney General’s Office and the Independent Authority Against Corruption, they said, “once again exposes the leadership of the Attorney General’s Office and creates a sense of cover-up in society.”
A “sense,” they say! Others claim it creates certainty, but let’s accept that it’s a sense. The problem is that the leadership of the Attorney General’s Office fails to grasp this. They are convinced that what society perceives and expresses in various ways—discontent and suspicion—is, in reality, a distorted image and that Mr Odysseas Michaelides is to blame for this perception.
If only they could discern what society truly believes; they might handle things more elegantly and regain some trust, even if just a fraction. Because it is of utmost importance that the public be convinced that the state’s institutions are functioning correctly, beyond the influence of vested interests and entanglements.
This holds significance, especially for the development of a healthy society. If people believe that everything is rigged, corrupted and that no one in this state works for the public good and the citizens, then the rot permeates everything and everyone, and there is no remedy.
This affects even minors who vandalise their schools, as paradoxical as it may sound. It touches the mafia godfathers, the thieves, and all those who rely on the rotten system to act with impunity. It influences egotism, the lack of solidarity, and the apathy of otherwise honest citizens. They say, “Why should I care about the common good when those who are paid handsomely don’t?”
This new clash between the Attorney General’s Office and the Anti-Corruption Authority indicates that no one is concerned about the “sense of society.” Without delving into the details: The Authority summoned police officer Michalis Katsounotos to testify as part of an investigation into a complaint against the Deputy Attorney General, Savvas Angelides.
Mr Katsounotos had submitted his positions in writing but refused to answer questions, invoking his right to silence.
The Authority considered that Katsounotos, by refusing to cooperate, had created an obstruction in the investigation and that there was no reasonable cause for his refusal. They requested the Attorney General’s Office to conduct a criminal inquiry and a possible criminal prosecution. However, the Attorney General’s Office cited its interpretations of the legislation and declined to comply.
I am not here to judge which institution is right, but given that the case involves the Deputy Attorney General and that in the previous Katsounotos case (the one involving Anna Aristotelous) the Attorney General’s Office also exonerated Katsounotos, the “sense of society” takes on a more significant dimension.
If the leadership of the Attorney General’s Office did not want to reinforce this sense, they could have sought an opinion from an independent private lawyer, refraining from interpreting the legislation themselves and making a decision in a matter concerning their own office.
Especially when their interpretation clashes with that of the Anti-Corruption Authority. This gives rise to the impression of collusion. No one but their own handlers is to blame for the “sense of society.”
This “affects, in one way or another, the quality of the rule of law in our country,” as AKEL stated, and we concur. But it also affects the quality of our society, and those in key public positions bear a tremendous responsibility, as citizens expect them to be role models of integrity and probity.
P.S. The Anti-Corruption Authority was established with much fanfare following successive scandals that shook the country. In the end, it seems we’ve merely papered over the cracks. Now, with the decision of the Attorney General’s Office to protect Katsounotos, the Authority will summon witnesses in its investigations, and everyone will invoke their right to silence.
Good luck with that!obstruction. clash between Attorney General’s Office and Independent Authority Against Corruption, leadership of Attorney General’s Office, sense of cover-up in society
