Demetris Syllouris

Secretarial allowances row could be referred to anti-corruption authority

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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.

Former officials can keep pocketing extra allowances, ministry says

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Former officials can keep pocketing extra allowances, ministry says

Former state officials in Cyprus, named by Auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides, including former presidents George Vassiliou and Nicos Anastasiades, and former House speakers Yiannakis Omirou, Marios Garoyian, and Demetris Syllouris, were investigated for allegedly misusing secretarial allowances. The finance ministry stated that these officials do not have to return the allowances as they are legally entitled to them, either to employ a civil servant or hire someone personally for the role. The allowance is set at €39,089 per year. The audit revealed discrepancies in how the funds were used, with some officials not employing a secretary as claimed or pocketing the difference. Specific findings include Vassiliou receiving a total of €709,352 from 2004 to December 2023, with allegations of employing a secretary through a company owned by his family. Anastasiades received €20,396 in 2023, with recommendations to return €11,314 due to overpayment. Omirou, Garoyian, and Syllouris were also found to have discrepancies in their allowance usage, with recommendations for refunds to the state.

Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

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Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis pleaded not guilty to five charges related to corruption allegations following an Al Jazeera documentary on Cyprus’ citizen-by-investment scheme. They are currently facing a trial along with Antonis Antoniou, a senior member of staff at the Giovanis Group. Antoniou will make his plea on January 18. The court rejected objections from Giovanis’ lawyer regarding the charges. Lawyers for Syllouris and Antoniou stated that they may raise objections in the future. The defense lawyers will submit a written request for the release of witness material and transcripts used in the preparation of the Nicolatos report. The Al Jazeera documentary captured Syllouris and Giovanis agreeing to grant nationality to a Chinese investor despite his criminal background.

Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

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Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis pleaded not guilty to five charges related to corruption allegations stemming from an Al Jazeera documentary on Cyprus’ citizen-by-investment scheme. They are currently facing trial along with Antonis Antoniou, a senior member of staff at the Giovanis Group. Antoniou will make his plea in January. The court rejected objections from Giovanis’ lawyer regarding the charges, and Syllouris’ lawyer also expressed potential objections. Lawyers for the defendants requested the release of witness material and transcripts used in the preparation of the Nicolatos report. The Al Jazeera documentary captured Syllouris and Giovanis agreeing to grant nationality to a Chinese investor despite his criminal background.

Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

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Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis pleaded not guilty to five charges related to corruption allegations following an Al Jazeera documentary on Cyprus’ citizen-by-investment scheme. They are currently facing a trial along with Antonis Antoniou, a senior member of staff at the Giovanis Group. Antoniou will make his plea on January 18. The court rejected objections from Giovanis’ lawyer regarding the charges. Syllouris’ lawyer also agreed with the objections. Lawyers for both defendants will submit a written request for the release of witness material and transcripts used in the preparation of the Nicolatos report. The Al Jazeera documentary captured Syllouris and Giovanis on camera agreeing to grant citizenship to a Chinese investor who was allegedly a criminal.

Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

by
Former House president and MP plead not guilty in , ‘golden passports’ trial

Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis pleaded not guilty to five charges related to corruption allegations following an Al Jazeera documentary on Cyprus’ citizen-by-investment scheme. They are currently facing a trial along with Antonis Antoniou, a senior member of staff at the Giovanis Group. Antoniou will make his plea on January 18. The court rejected objections from Giovanis’ lawyer regarding the charges. Syllouris’ lawyer also agreed with the objections. Lawyers for both defendants will request the release of witness material and transcripts used in the preparation of the Nicolatos report. The Al Jazeera documentary captured Syllouris and Giovanis agreeing to give a Chinese investor nationality despite his criminal background.