Filenews 27 May 2022 - by Fanis Makridis
Just days after the appointment of the executives who will make up the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, citizens began to look for its members. A competent source told "F" that in some cases persons contacted officials of the Authority (appointed in early May) expressing their intention to submit complaints and give evidence of corruption phenomena.
Of course, the oxymoron here is that this house is not yet in a position to do its job officially. This is expected to happen in a few months and certainly after next autumn. After all, it starts from scratch and in order to be able to function it will have to be settled with a number of essential issues.
Transparency Commissioner Harris Pogiatzis and the four executives of the Authority, Makis Konstantinidis, Elena Patera, Nikos Zampakidis and Tatiana Zachariadou, will officially assume their duties at the end of June, when their confirmation ceremony is expected to take place at the Presidential Palace by the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades.
Beyond that, the regulations on the basis of which the body will operate and - most importantly - will determine the burning issue, that is, the methodology by which complaints and complaints will be examined, should be drawn up and come into force.
More specifically, with regard to the issue of regulations, initially there will be a consultation, in which at least the head of the Authority, Haris Pogiatzis, is expected to participate. There is, in fact, the intention to seek the contribution of the Commissioner for Legislation, Louisa Zannetou, who due to her position was judged to be able to offer valuable services in an advisory capacity.
Then, the Council of Ministers will proceed with the issuance of these regulations, and then they will be submitted for approval in Parliament. Finally, the regulations will be published in the official gazette of the state and will be considered applicable.
Based on the preliminary calculations of the parties involved, it is estimated that the regulations will be put before the House after the suspension of the parliamentary body's work for next summer.
A competent person reported to "F" that a corresponding Authority of a European state with the mission of combating corruption, was able to operate 1.5 years after its establishment.
However, the fact that citizens have already begun to search for the Authority in order to report corruption is indicative of the need for this body to function. Moreover, according to the provisions of the Law (19(I)/2022), the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority becomes the competent body in Cyprus for the coordination of the actions of public sector services, the wider public sector and the private sector and mainly for the prevention and combating of acts of corruption at national level. In addition, it will be able to investigate allegations that constitute corruption and if it finds that there is a possible criminal offence, it will submit a report and the evidence collected to the Attorney General for further action.
Poyiatzis focuses on the Beginning
Transparency Commissioner Harris Pogiatzis, who is also the head of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, has made sure to leave all positions he held in order to preserve his independence. He has already left his position as head of the Ethics and Protection of Sports Committee, from the Board of Hydra Insurance, while he is also resigning from a well-known law firm, where the well-known lawyer offered services.
The Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice has been on the side of the Authority from the outset. Its general manager, Louis Panagis, has taken an active role in order to resolve some essential issues. It should be noted that the Authority is independent and will not belong anywhere. It was, however, deemed necessary at this stage to offer assistance from this ministry.
Ministers seconded
Until the budget issue is settled and the issues of permanent staff (20-25 persons) are settled, four civil servants, three officials and a secretary have already been seconded to the Authority. A fifth person will soon be seconded to act as usher.
The Authority will be temporarily housed in Pallouriotissa
Despite the fact that the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority is in its infancy, feverish processes are already underway to settle practical issues.
The Authority will be temporarily housed on Markou Drakou Avenue in Palouriotissa, in the building facilities previously used by the Ministry of Health. As mentioned, the building belongs to the Government and already houses state services related to the health sector. At the same time, an offer has been announced by the Ministry of Justice to find a new space where the Authority will be housed. The competition ends on 27/05.
It is not excluded, of course, that "nothing more permanent than temporary" will apply and that the Anti-Corruption Authority will maintain its base in the existing building in the center of the capital.
The day before yesterday, a wide-ranging meeting of stakeholders of the Republic was held, in order for the facilities where the Authority will be hosted to become operational. As we are informed, this meeting was attended by executives of the Electromechanical Services and the Department of Public Works. It was decided to carry out specific works (arrangements, etc.) in order for the building to meet the needs of the Authority's executives. In addition, arrangements were made yesterday for the furnishing of the offices.
