The Supreme Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of the removal of Auditor General, Odysseas Michaelides.
In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that Michaelides should be dismissed from his position due to inappropriate conduct, bringing a dramatic end to a high-profile institutional clash.
The eight-judge panel, in a 209-page ruling, found that Michaelides’ behaviour failed to meet “the bare minimum” standards expected of his office and showed “complete disrespect”.
Supreme Constitutional Court President Antonis Liatsos said Michaelides “did not limit himself the way he should” and “showed a complete lack of self-restraint.”
The ruling covered a range of disputes between Michaelides and Attorney General George Savvides, including matters related to the golden passports scheme, as well as a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Authority regarding the Deputy Attorney General.
The court found Michaelides’ conduct in these disputes to be inappropriate, citing his use of irony and enmity in rhetoric, misinformation of the public, and lack of objectivity.
The judges were unanimous in ruling that Michaelides “brutally violated the deputy attorney general’s right to innocence” in his handling of the complaint filed to the anti-corruption authority.
While Michaelides argued that his attitude was a result of perceived threats from the Law Office, the judges rejected this defence.
The case was initiated by Attorney General Savvides in April seeking Michaelides’ removal for inappropriate conduct.
Michaelides had been highly critical of state institutions, alleging corruption within the Law Office and other sectors, including accusations against the Attorney General himself. These repeated public accusations, along with Michaelides’ communication with international audit bodies, were seen by Savvides as undermining public trust in the Law Office and state institutions.
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