**Former Minister Under Scrutiny for Failing to Declare Millions in Assets**
The House's special committee overseeing the law requiring public officials in Cyprus to declare their wealth and income, known as "pothen esches," is investigating a former minister from the Christodoulides government for failing to declare millions in his asset statements. This issue came to light following an audit conducted after the minister's departure from office.
The audit was initiated under a new law that took effect in January, which shifted the responsibility for reviewing asset declarations to the tax department for the first time. The law stipulates that failure to declare assets can be classified as a criminal offense, prompting the committee to seek legal advice on whether the former minister should face prosecution.
The committee, chaired by House Speaker Annita Demetriou, includes members from various political parties, including Disy MP Demetris Demetriou, Akel MP Giorgos Loukaides, Elam MP Linos Papayiannis, and Diko MP Panikos Leonidou. The tax department alerted the committee to the case, which has raised significant concerns regarding transparency and accountability among public officials.
Reports indicate that the undeclared assets, which are said to range between €2 million and €4 million, were owned by the minister prior to his appointment. This has led to further scrutiny regarding potential tax evasion related to the undisclosed amount.
In April, following a notification from the tax department regarding the omission of certain bank accounts from his 2023 asset declaration, the former minister submitted an updated declaration. This action included corrections to his asset statements for the current year, yet the earlier failure to declare assets—both within Cyprus and internationally—remains under investigation.
The committee is required to inform Attorney General George Savvides about the findings so that the possibility of criminal prosecution can be evaluated. As of now, the identity of the former minister has not been disclosed, with reports indicating that the name will be released once the individual provides an explanation for the omission.
This situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of public officials in Cyprus and the importance of adherence to financial disclosure laws. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the former minister and potentially for the broader political landscape in Cyprus, as it raises questions about the enforcement of accountability measures for public servants.
As the committee awaits further legal guidance, the case serves as a reminder of the critical need for transparency in government, especially in light of recent reforms aimed at enhancing public trust in political institutions.