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The long-running legal saga of former Volunteer Commissioner Yiannis Giannakis reached its conclusion on Wednesday, with the Nicosia District Court sentencing him to three years in prison for circulating forged official documents.
The case, which began in 2021, first drew public attention when it emerged that Giannakis had submitted fake study certificates and a high school diploma to secure his role in the Youth Organization. Following the revelations, he resigned and faced criminal prosecution.
Judge Nicole Grigoriou handed down the sentence after a trial spanning more than three years, marked by repeated delays and objections. Giannakis had pleaded guilty to three charges related to the falsified documents. In court, the judge said, “I conclude that while I would impose a 2-year prison sentence for each charge, given the passage of time, I impose 18 months per charge, with certain sentences running consecutively and others concurrently. The sentences will be executed immediately.” Under this ruling, Giannakis is expected to serve a total of three years in Central Prisons.
Adding to public outrage, Giannakis continued to receive a portion of his salary while the trial was ongoing. Even after being suspended in 2021, he drew 50% of his gross monthly pay of €4,756. Critics have argued that prolonged legal delays allowed him to continue receiving taxpayer money while facing serious fraud charges.
In April 2025, Giannakis acknowledged his wrongdoing by pleading guilty to the most serious charges. His defense had requested leniency, citing the age of the offenses and his previously clean record, but the court ruled that the severity of the forgery and its impact on public trust warranted immediate imprisonment.
The sentence brings an end to one of the most closely followed cases in recent years, closing a chapter that has stirred public debate about accountability, transparency, and the use of public funds in Cyprus’ institutions.
