Court rules Michaelides’s statements against transplant surgeon were defamatory

Politics almaodysseas michaelides Court rules Michaelides’s statements against transplant surgeon were defamatory Court Rules Michaelides's Statements Against Transplant Surgeon Were Defamatory Relevant News Court rules Michaelides’s statements against transplant surgeon were defamatory 20 June 2026 Parliament to consider crowdfunding fines bill 20 June 2026 Central Bank hosts financial literacy event as Europe pushes to redirect savings into investment 20 June 2026 Newsroom 20 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Nicosia District Court has ruled that statements made by then-Auditor General and current MP and ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides against a transplant surgeon were defamatory, awarding the surgeon €15,000 in general damages plus legal interest and costs. The ruling comes eleven years after the dispute arose from a letter Michaelides sent to the Health Minister in February 2015 regarding the procurement of kidney transplant services. The letter was circulated to the Parliamentary Audit Committee, the Accountant General, the Cyprus Medical Association and the Medical Disciplinary Council, and received wide publicity. The letter referenced high fees and contained allegations linked to profiteering, speculation and possible breaches of medical ethics. The court found that specific terms used in the letter — including “profiteering,” “speculation,” “unrealistic offer” and references to a “regime of extortion” — were capable of damaging the surgeon’s public image and professional credibility. The surgeon argued the letter was based on incomplete and misleading information about his fees and work, creating a false impression with the state and the public. He also argued that its non-confidential circulation contributed to its wide publication. The court rejected key defences including fair comment and privileged communication, ruling they did not cover the specific language used in the letter. It found that malicious falsehood was not established due to the absence of proven special damage. A request for aggravated or punitive damages was rejected. Michaelides said in a post that he had acted within his constitutional remit, with the aim of auditing public expenditure and ensuring the sound management of state resources. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Parliament to consider crowdfunding fines bill Central Bank hosts financial literacy event as Europe pushes to redirect savings into investment Akamas works to restart in 2026 with scaled-back roads and hunting ban on 12.7% of forest Things to do on Saturday, June 20 Oroklini beach deaths expose unstaffed towers and missing warning signs Larnaca has 1,050 dangerous buildings with 300 families living in collapse-risk blocks Bedroom fire in Lakatamia caused by iron left on, initial reports suggest Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.