Cyprus - September 2024

The Supreme Court made a rare decision on 18 September to dismiss Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides, citing inappropriate conduct, including criticising public officials on social media and continuing to allege wrongdoing against officials even after they had been legally cleared. Thousands of people attended a protest against corruption in the justice system, and members of the House Audit Committee staged a walk-out in support of Michaelides during a September Committee meeting. According to the ruling, Michaelides exceeded his authority and abused his position. During his 10-year tenure, Michaelides was involved in disputes with members of the executive branch as well as with the Attorney General, who initiated the case, accusing public officials of illegally receiving pensions and publishing a 2020 audit report on a cash-for-passports scheme. Michaelides expressed the intent to bring a case to the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds of violations of due process (right to a fair trial) and freedom of expression.

Sources: Cyprus Mail (1), Cyprus Mail (2), Cyprus Mail (3), Reuters, Kathimerini, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project