**Title: Eight Prison Guards Face Criminal Inquiry Over Sick Leave Fraud**
A criminal investigation has been launched involving eight prison officers and two doctors in Cyprus, following allegations of fraudulent sick leave practices. The inquiry centers on the issuance of sick leave certificates that lack corresponding records in the national health system, Gesy, suggesting possible collusion between medical professionals and prison personnel.
The investigation was initiated after an audit office official provided testimony to police, leading to the identification of the eight officers and the two doctors involved. A special report on the prison department, dated March 10, 2026, first raised concerns about potential coordinated efforts to defraud the state through falsified medical leave.
Investigators are currently scrutinizing a large number of sick leave certificates issued to the prison officers to ascertain whether the absences were justified. Evidence collected indicates that some officers attended work for only two to three weeks annually in recent periods while still receiving full salaries. Notably, one officer was reported to have taken sick leave for 205 working days in 2023 and an additional 202 days in 2024, submitting a total of 51 medical certificates in 2023 and 60 in 2024. Alarmingly, only six of these certificates were not issued by the two doctors now under investigation.
The audit office's analysis included a comparison of the sick leave certificates with data from the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) and the records maintained in Gesy. This comparison unveiled significant discrepancies. For four of the eight officers, the pathologist in question was registered as their personal doctor, yet a considerable number of certificates he issued had no corresponding consultation records. In the case of the remaining four officers, the pathologist was not their registered physician, yet he issued multiple certificates without any documented consultations.
A similar pattern was observed with the orthopaedic doctor involved. Five of the eight officers submitted medical certificates from both doctors, with many of the orthopaedic doctor’s certificates also lacking supporting consultation records. One particularly striking case involved an officer who presented 54 medical certificates to justify sick leave, yet only six consultations were recorded in the system, with only three of those aligning with the dates and diagnoses specified in the certificates.
The audit office also discovered discrepancies in the dates of consultations and the corresponding sick leave periods claimed by the officers. In some instances, consultations were logged in the system after the certificates had already been issued, raising further questions about the legitimacy of the claims.
Additionally, investigators are examining the content of several medical certificates. Findings indicate that the pathologist frequently cited orthopaedic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and knee injuries, while the orthopaedic doctor issued a certificate diagnosing a “migraine.” The medical association has stated that a licensed doctor may, under certain circumstances, issue a certificate outside their specialty, but this alone does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are focused on determining the extent of the alleged fraud and whether further legal actions will be taken against the individuals involved. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of sick leave practices within the prison system and the potential for abuse of medical certification processes.
The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for the individuals involved and may lead to broader discussions about oversight and accountability within both the medical and correctional systems in Cyprus. As the situation develops, more information is expected to emerge regarding the findings of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken by law enforcement and regulatory bodies.