A total of 315 complaints have been submitted to the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, according to Transparency Commissioner Charis Poyatzis during the review of the Authority’s 2025 budget at the Parliamentary Finance Committee. He noted that five investigations have been completed, while six are ongoing.
The Commissioner stated that although the Authority has not been able to fully meet the current demands, the complaints review process has significantly sped up in recent months, thanks to the engagement of contract staff through public contracts.
However, he expressed strong dissatisfaction with the recent announcement by the General Accounting Office in October to stop payments to contract-based staff working with the Authority, noting that no explanation was provided for this decision.
In response to a question from DISY MP Savia Orphanidou, Mr Poyatzis reported that of the 315 complaints submitted (230 named and 85 anonymous), 90 have been investigated, with five investigations completed and six ongoing.
He also noted that the use of public contracts has allowed the Authority to accelerate the investigation of complaints while saving resources, as contract staff undertake much of the preliminary checks. However, he expressed concern that the General Accounting Office’s refusal to pay five of the seven contract staff could disrupt the Authority’s progress on ongoing cases.
During discussions with Committee members and in response to MPs’ questions, Mr Poyatzis expressed the belief that delays in investigating complaints have contributed to the Authority’s loss of public trust. However, he added that if the current pace of case processing is maintained, this perception will likely change.
Mr Poyatzis emphasised that the Authority needs either permanent staff or continued public contracting to carry out its mandate effectively, as it currently operates with only one permanent staff member, a messenger, one seconded officer, and four interchangeable personnel. He added that the Authority followed a model similar to that used by 12 other organisations, which collaborate with professionals under public contracts.
Presenting the Authority’s budget, Mr Poyatzis noted that approximately €1 million, representing 48% of the total, is allocated for hiring inspection officers and entering into public contracts with professionals who, he explained, contribute to expediting complaint investigations.
Committee President and DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou intervened on the issue of contract staff payments, requesting a written report from the Ministry of Finance on what led to the payment suspension, both to Parliament and to the Anti-Corruption Authority, suggesting the suspension might be due to an error since the funding had been approved in the 2024 budget.
Christophides’ Concerns Over Delayed Investigation of Complaints Against N. Anastasiades
AKEL MP Christos Christophides expressed concerns, both during the Committee meeting and in statements afterward, about the progress of complaints he submitted to the Authority regarding former President Nicos Anastasiades’s administration, questioning the Authority’s operation.
He noted that over two years and three months have passed since the submission of three complaints, two of which directly concern Mr Anastasiades, while the third indirectly involves him.
“For months, I’ve been hearing the repeated statement from the Transparency Commissioner and President of the Anti-Corruption Authority that Mr Anastasiades is not under investigation,” Christophides said, then posed the question, “If Mr Anastasiades isn’t under investigation, whom do my complaints concern?”
The AKEL MP also noted that following concerns about the previous investigative process, a new process began in September.
In response to Christophides during the Committee meeting, Mr Poyatzis confirmed that some errors had occurred in the investigation of these complaints, and that three officers are now handling the investigation. Christophides also raised concerns about the selection of officers, pointing out that one appointee had previously been an official appointed by Mr Anastasiades.
Mr Poyatzis responded that the possibility of connections between staff and political parties is always considered, noting that in Cyprus, such links often exist and mentioning that another officer had, during their interview, acknowledged past connections with EDON.
Christophides particularly highlighted the delays in progressing the complaints investigation, stating, “Time is a crucial factor, as we need testimonies to substantiate a case of misconduct.”
He added that the delay “raises reasonable questions about the genuine will to investigate complaints, particularly those involving Mr Anastasiades.”
(CNA/EG/MK)
