The arsenal of the Legal Service includes a total of 15 “charges,” through which the cessation of the Auditor General, Odysseas Michaelides, is sought, with the claim of demonstrating inappropriate behavior, which, of course, must be proven before the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Among other things, the Legal Service alleges that “due to Odysseas Michaelides’ behavior, erosion of public trust in the institutions is caused since he systematically attempts to distort or even pervert the image of the institutions in the eyes of the citizens.”
The consequences, it is added, are devastating for the smooth functioning of the state since the controlled institutions/officials are reasonably convinced that the Auditor General has targeted them and maintains an improper or hostile attitude towards their interests and, by extension, the services/organizations that the Auditor General is authorized to audit.
Moreover, through his actions and behavior, it is argued that he has lost the apparent as well as the real objectivity and independence that should have distinguished him during the exercise of his duties.
Furthermore, the claim is made that “the continued questioning of the Auditor General regarding the opinions of the Attorney General and his direct and indirect comments tend to vilify and influence him in the performance of his duties, which include, among other things, the power to suspend criminal prosecutions in the public interest, with the result that public trust in the state’s top legal officer is undermined.”
A central point of the “indictment” is the complaint filed by the Deputy Attorney General to the Anti-Corruption Authority. Specifically, it is stated that the Auditor General forwarded a complaint by an unknown person to the Anti-Corruption Authority and chose to disclose the complaint in an extensive manner, with the obvious aim of discrediting, targeting, exposing, and discrediting the Deputy Attorney General, also revealing that the Auditor General was aware of the alleged unknown person and his motives.
The “indictment” against the Auditor General, which unfolds in 124 pages, according to Phileleftheros information, includes, among other points:
-The forwarding by the Audit Service of the well-known case of Volunteer Commissioner Giannakis Giannaki at a time when the Deputy Attorney General had suggested referring it to the Police, without his (Odysseas Michaelides’) investigation. This action by the Auditor General was considered inappropriate behaviour.
-The fact that the sister of Odysseas Michaelides follows the Support Team of the Auditor General on Facebook.
-His involvement in the issue of multiple pensions and his suggestion to the Auditor General’s Office that the fact he listens to the Attorney General (in handling the issue) essentially constitutes a violation of law.
-The example brought by the Press Spokesperson of the Audit Service, Marios Petrides, on the radio (regarding multiple pensions), mentioning that in the future the Deputy Attorney General will receive a former minister’s pension while being Deputy Attorney General, was considered offensive and, by extension, inappropriate behavior. It is also suggested that while there were other officials, reference was made to the Deputy Attorney General. It is noted that the statements were not made by the Auditor General himself but by the Press Spokesperson of the Audit Service.
-There is also a reference to tweets by the son of the Auditor General, which are considered “damning.”
-His involvement in the issue of hiring a consultant for the extension of the airport contract for five years, without credits, and his overall attitude was also considered questionable.
-The fact that he dealt with out-of-court issues and the criticism he exerted because the Police did not provide him with information in order to conduct an investigation.
-His involvement in issues of the Ministry of Defense.
-The fact that he did not condemn the Support Team of the Auditor General (that is, himself) when it criticized the Legal Service.
-The fact that while he maintained good relations with the former Attorney General, he does not with the current one.
