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Once again, Cyprus finds itself in the shadow of controversy, with fresh corruption claims raising eyebrows across the political spectrum. This time, the storm centers around an events venue in Nicosia, and whether the President himself had anything to do with how it got its license.
Former Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides dropped a political bombshell this week, accusing the Audit Office of covering up the fact that the original complaint that triggered a recent investigation pointed the finger directly at President Nikos Christodoulides. According to Michaelides, the complaint suggested a “political transaction” between the venue owner and the President, even claiming that Christodoulides had recently attended the venue’s grand opening.
The President isn’t having it.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a military camp in Kornos for Easter, Christodoulides hit back hard, calling the claims “fake news” and brushing off the accusations as politically motivated noise.
“I don’t know if Mr. Michaelides even realizes what he's saying,” the President told journalists. “What matters to me is the truth. I didn’t attend any opening, despite what’s been written. The responsible ministers will answer everything that needs answering.”
Pressed further on whether he thinks there’s a political agenda behind the attack, Christodoulides made it clear he’s not biting. “I’m not going to waste time on this. I have far more serious things to deal with,” he said.
Michaelides, however, isn’t backing down. In a fiery statement, the former Auditor-General claimed that the Audit Office left out critical details in its published report about how the venue was licensed. He says those details include the President’s alleged involvement, which he insists should have been included. If the matter isn’t handed over to the Anti-Corruption Authority, Michaelides says he’ll file a formal complaint himself after Easter.
According to the Audit Office report, the investigation stemmed from a written complaint received in November about “irregularities” tied to the construction of the venue. But Michaelides says that’s only half the story, he claims the actual complaint also mentioned a direct link to the President.
It’s just the latest chapter in a long-running narrative that continues to dog Cypriot politics: allegations of backroom deals, blurred lines between public duty and private interest, and accusations of cover-ups that keep resurfacing.
