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Escalating Tensions Between Audit Office and Legal Service
In an unprecedented move, the Audit Office has taken formal steps to report the Legal Service to the European Commission and the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (Intosai). This action stems from serious allegations involving
Angelides criticized the auditor general for a lack of objectivity and self-control, accusing him of targeting specific institutions and officials. In contrast, President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed his intention to refrain from suspending Michaelides, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the legal and audit services in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The complaint lodged with Intosai and the EU Commission invokes Principle 2 of the Mexico Declaration, which underscores the importance of independence for heads and members of Supreme Audit Institutions, including their security of tenure and legal immunity. Yiannis Antoniou, the deputy government spokesman, has characterized the dispute as a “purely legal” matter, distancing it from political implications.
The Audit Office has interpreted Angelides’ statements as retaliatory, attributing them to Michaelides’ exposure of alleged efforts by Angelides to exonerate a client from his previous law firm. Marios Petrides, press spokesman for the Audit Office, conveyed to CyBC that the attorney-general and his deputy were plotting against Michaelides out of “revenge.” He cited a specific threat from the attorney-general dating back to September 7 and emphasized that retaliation against individuals reporting to the Anti Corruption Authority is a criminal offense. Petrides confirmed that Michaelides had submitted his complaint to the authority in good faith.
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