**Audit Office to Investigate Potential Fraud in 1974 Prisoner of War Claims**
The audit office in Cyprus is set to conduct a thorough investigation into the lists used to identify prisoners of war from the 1974 conflict, as well as the associated benefits payments. This initiative follows allegations that some individuals may have been improperly included on these lists and have been receiving financial allowances without rightful claims.
According to statements made to the Cyprus Mail on Wednesday, auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou has received various reports concerning the matter, and a comprehensive report detailing the office's findings is expected to be released soon. The investigation is particularly focused on the €1,000 allowance that is granted every six months to those recognized as prisoners of war.
Vassos Christou, the head of the prisoners of war association, highlighted concerns raised by a former presidential commissioner, indicating that approximately 60 to 70 individuals might have been incorrectly listed as missing persons. Christou clarified that the association is not asserting that all cases are fraudulent; rather, they are advocating for an audit to determine which individuals genuinely qualify as prisoners of war.
The audit office plans to cross-reference the names on the lists maintained by the Red Cross, the National Guard, and the interior ministry with those currently receiving benefits. This scrutiny is necessary due to the historical discrepancies in the lists used to establish prisoner of war status. Christou emphasized that the Red Cross list should serve as the authoritative record, as it documents prisoners who were officially registered upon their release by Turkish forces.
In previous discussions with members of the House refugee committee, Christou raised concerns that some individuals may have obtained National Guard certificates confirming their prisoner status without proper entitlement. Allegations have surfaced that certain officers signed these certificates, which were later accepted by the defense ministry. However, the defense ministry has maintained that it verifies applicants' names against the Red Cross list, a claim that the prisoners' association disputes.
In light of the ongoing investigation, Christou has sought legal assistance and has urged Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis to personally intervene in the matter. According to him, police officials indicated that once the auditor-general's findings are published, they would be able to take statements from individuals not included in the relevant registers.
Christou also warned that potential criminal offenses could arise for both those wrongfully included on the lists and for those who signed certificates without sufficient justification. He has called for individuals found to have received benefits through fraudulent means to be required to repay any funds received.
As the audit office prepares its report, the implications of its findings could be significant not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader context of how prisoner of war claims are managed in Cyprus. The outcome of this investigation may lead to a reevaluation of the processes in place for recognizing and compensating those affected by the 1974 conflict.