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Three judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court, including the current president, previously participated in a case involving the dismissal of a state official for inappropriate behavior. Two lawyers of the Auditor General also have experience in a similar case, as they represented the former Attorney General. The current Deputy Attorney General may be a witness in the process, as one of the issues raised concerns a complaint against him. Two large law firms will represent the Attorney General in the legal battle, one of which has ties to a former judge who prepared a report on the state official in the previous case.
Fact: The Audit Office calls for a new study on siting an aquaculture project in the area of Moni-Vasilikos due to its possible detrimental effects on an endangered species of seal.
The Audit Office has requested a revised site allocation study for proposed marine farm facilities in the Moni-Vassiliko area due to the area’s significance for the Mediterranean monk seal. Plans to develop aquaculture facilities in the environmentally sensitive area are facing scrutiny, with a project tender issued for €34 million. The Audit Office recommends updating the National Action Plan for Monk Seal Conservation and ensuring public access to relevant assessments. Delays in project implementation could risk losing funding. The Audit Office criticizes the lack of detail in alternative locations considered in a previous study and recommends a revised study to address the gap. The Department of Environment’s pre-screening report for the Environmental Impact Assessment is criticized for not adequately considering the importance of the area for the Mediterranean monk seal. The proposed project aims to serve seven of the nine existing marine aquaculture farms in Cyprus, providing necessary support infrastructure.
The Attorney General of Cyprus has filed a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court seeking the dismissal of Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides for inappropriate conduct. This legal battle will involve top legal professionals and is based on a regulatory provision from 2021. The case is unique as there is limited case law on requests for dismissal due to inappropriate behavior, with the only previous case involving former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotocritou, who was criminally convicted. The Constitution does not clearly define what constitutes inappropriate behavior for the dismissal of officials at this level of constitutional protection. The Auditor General has 21 days to file an objection to the request for dismissal, and if the case reaches a hearing, old cases handled by the Legal Service will be brought up, with witnesses called to testify.
– A slew of illegal developments have taken place in environmentally protected areas across the country, including Natura 2000 sites.
– A politically exposed person in Sotira, Famagusta benefited from irregular procedures in obtaining a town planning permit for a tourism development.
– Holiday homes were constructed before all the necessary permits and approvals were granted.
– The most important habitat cave for the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus was affected by illegal construction.
– Cyprus has been referred to the Court of Justice of the EU for its failure to comply with its obligations under the Habitats Directive.
– Concerns were raised over an illegal biological plant in Kalopanayiotis causing environmental pollution.
– A forest conservator is under investigation for illegal cattle farms within the Natura 2000 area.
– Requests by the Inia community for placing sunbeds and umbrellas at Lara beach were promoted illegally, despite objections by the fisheries department.
– Multiple fires occurred at the Geri-Dali recycling plant site and waste was not properly managed.
A request for the suspension of the Auditor General is expected to be filed with the Supreme Constitutional Court by the legal team of the Attorney General. The request is based on the complaint that the Auditor General exceeded his powers, which is not considered inappropriate behavior. The decision to suspend an independent state official must be initiated by the President of the Republic, according to the Trifonos case. The Attorney General does not have the authority to make such requests.
Fact: There is speculation that the Attorney-General George Savvides will submit a request to the supreme court to have Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides removed from his post for inappropriate behavior.
The Cypriot government spent approximately €40 million on accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, primarily covering housing costs until March 4, 2024. Other expenses included transportation and translation services. The Audit Office recommended developing an emergency contingency plan for managing future influxes of displaced people. Standard tendering procedures were advised for transparency, despite no violations found in the audit. The European Commission provided €6.7 million in support for the refugee aid program, with management of accommodation contracts transferred to the Municipality of Paralimni. Expenditure details for accommodation in various hotels were provided, totaling €39,680,831.65.
The audit office is prepared to deal with any steps aimed at removing Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides from his post. Michaelides is privately paying for legal services from the law office of Christos Clerides, George Triantafyllides, and Pambos Ioannides. President Nikos Christodoulides described the situation as not pleasant and urged collaboration between independent institutions based on the constitution. The legal service and audit office chiefs can only be removed through a Supreme Court decision or if they voluntarily resign.