**Hartsiotis Faces Potential Loss of Police Escort Following Security Review**
Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis may soon find himself without the police escort that was assigned to him just days ago, according to reports from local media. This development comes amid an ongoing security review concerning the protection of officials in Cyprus.
On Wednesday, it was reported that two police officers had been designated to provide security for Hartsiotis, a former justice minister. The assignment was confirmed through a document published by the Daily Politis, which was signed by the deputy police chief. However, this decision could be reversed by Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, who has been overseeing the review of security arrangements for government officials.
The Audit Office has been investigating Hartsiotis following a complaint that raised two key issues. Firstly, it was alleged that he had irregularly seconded two officers who are typically assigned to the presidential palace. Secondly, there were concerns regarding his use of a state limousine for personal activities, which prompted the Audit Office to require Hartsiotis to restrict the vehicle's use to official business only.
Despite the scrutiny, the assignment of the two police officers to Hartsiotis was formalized rather than revoked. However, it appears that this decision did not align with the recent directives issued by Fitiris, which stipulate that police escorts should only be assigned based on security and risk assessments. Notably, Fitiris reportedly learned about Hartsiotis's police escort assignment through media reports, rather than through official channels.
This week, a comprehensive review of police escorts assigned to ministers, deputy ministers, and commissioners is underway. The review is set to expand next week to include ordinary citizens who receive police protection. As a result, Hartsiotis could potentially lose the two officers assigned to him just days after their deployment.
The broader overhaul of security arrangements began in June, following the parliamentary elections in May. Fitiris instructed the police security committee to reassess the protection protocols for political and state officials. Under the new system, the decision-making power regarding police guards has shifted away from the cabinet to the police, following an opinion from the attorney-general’s office. This change aims to ensure that security risk assessments are conducted by law enforcement rather than political figures.
The ministry noted that a practice had developed since the 1970s, allowing the cabinet to approve protection for political figures, despite the absence of a specific legal framework to support this procedure. The revised approach mandates that risk assessments be conducted every six months, or sooner if circumstances necessitate a review.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Hartsiotis will retain his police escort or if the ongoing review will lead to changes in his security arrangements. The outcome could set a precedent for how security measures are managed for officials in Cyprus moving forward.