Legal Service questions timing behind anti-corruption spat
The Legal Service questioned the timing of the anti-corruption authority’s announcement regarding former drug squad chief Michalis Katsounotos.
anti corruption authority
Auditor-general reports latest legal service spat to EU Commission (Update 2)
Fact: The Audit Office reported the Legal Service to the European Commission and the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (Intosai) due to allegations of threats, revenge, and efforts to remove the auditor general from his post.
180 reports before the anti-corruption authority
Fact: Allegations against former President Nicos Anastasiades are being investigated by a team “above any suspicion” led by the anti-corruption authority head Charis Poyiadjis.
Secretarial allowances row could be referred to anti-corruption authority
Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides criticized the finance minister’s stance on secretarial allowances as “unacceptable” and threatened to refer the case to the anti-corruption authority if overpayments continue. The controversy started when it was discovered that former presidents and House speakers were receiving state funds for secretaries after retirement, legally, but were paying the secretaries less than the allocated amount and keeping the difference. An audit named former presidents George Vassiliou and Nicos Anastasiades, and former House speakers Yiannakis Omirou, Marios Garoyian, and Demetris Syllouris as allegedly engaging in this practice. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos stated that these former officials did not have to return the money. Michaelides announced a new probe into the matter scheduled for May 2.
No conflict of interest: Cypriot lawyers in Anastasiades case
Gabrielle McIntyre, a legal expert, has been appointed to investigate corruption claims against former president Nicos Anastasiades. She will be assisted by three Cypriot lawyers: Charilaos Chrysanthou, Orestis Nikitas, and Andreas Efthymiou. The investigation is based on allegations made in the book ‘Mafia State’ by Makarios Drousiotis. McIntyre is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on March 3 to continue the investigation. The anti-corruption authority, which was established about a year and a half ago, will not comment on the investigation’s progress. McIntyre has experience in international legal practice and has worked with the ICTY. Former president Anastasiades welcomed McIntyre’s appointment and stated that the findings of the investigation should be made public. Drousiotis claimed that Anastasiades’ lawyers demanded the withdrawal of his books, an apology, and damages.