Former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides has accused President Christodoulides of lying about his dismissal, responding to the president’s recent CyBC interview.
“Everyone knows I was persona non grata for him and his associates due to the Audit Office’s work”, Michaelides said in a statement, adding that Christodoulides “did nothing to prevent my retaliatory dismissal”.
Michaelides called it hypocritical for the president to praise his work when “he couldn’t even remember my name during my successor’s appointment”. He alleged that Christodoulides, along with former President Nicos Anastasiades and two prosecutors, “promoted and implemented my termination”.
The former auditor general denied having private meetings with Christodoulides during his tenure as foreign minister or calling him about police weapons issued to civilians. Instead, he claimed the president contacted him multiple times to complain about investigations into illegal allowances he allegedly received and presidential residence renovations funded by public money.
Regarding claims about attempting to enter the president’s bedroom during an audit, Michaelides referred to the Audit Office’s detailed account from November 30, 2023, stating that it was the president who insisted on his presence.
“The people didn’t elect him for his communication skills, but to fight corruption, manage public administration effectively, support society, and contribute to creating a modern state of law”, Michaelides concluded, adding, “He’s doing the opposite”.
Attorney General Savvides initiated the case against Michaelides in April seeking his 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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