JUSTICE Minister Doros Theodorou yesterday lashed out at allegations he was pulling his weight to promote cronies inside the prisons department, even as a DISY deputy produced handwritten notes that appeared to prove the minister wrong.
Daily Alithia yesterday carried a report claiming Theodorou was endorsing and encouraging mass nepotism. The paper quoted the former director of the Central Prisons, Panicos Kyriacou, who suggested that Theodorou was always pressuring him into hiring or promoting certain people.
Speaking on state radio, Theodorou attributed the charges to a “malicious campaign of hounding and undermining the Justice Minister.”
“It seems some quarters cannot digest the fact that, as the Minister of Justice in this administration, I am dedicated to implementing President Papadopoulos’ policy for good governance and meritocracy.”
He went on to attack Kyriacou, questioning his credibility.
“I wonder, why did Mr Kyriacou not come out with this supposed meddling when he became aware of them (while he was in office)? Did he not have the cheek to do so?
“It’s very easy for someone to talk tough from a safe distance,” he quipped.
At any rate, added Theodorou, Kyriacou was being probed by the Attorney-general’s office about the very same issue – lack of good governance.
“His allegations are totally demeaning… but it’s OK, Mr Kyriacou will get his response through official channels, from the Attorney-general’s office,” added Theodorou.
No sooner had he made these comments than Andreas Papapoliviou, a DISY deputy, held a news conference with the purpose of revealing how Theodorou engaged in nepotism. In fact, the conference was itself entitled “Justice Minister Theodorou and the debasement of the institutions of meritocracy and equality.”
Papapoliviou said Theodorou was pulling out all the stops behind the scenes to appoint his favoured candidate as Kyriacou’s successor at the prisons. He hinted that the minister was trying to bypass normal appointment procedures in doing so.
Papapoliviou then produced what he said were notes handwritten by Theodorou. The notes, in facsimile form, contained instructions to Kyriacou to “promote this or that person at the Central Prisons,” contended the DISY deputy.
Papapoliviou said the faxes indicated the call location and time of transmission, proving they were genuine.
“This is truly shocking, that’s all I can say. Is this acceptable behaviour by a minister?”
But he stopped short of calling for Theodorou’s resignation.
“It’s up to the President. Given the President’s commitment to meritocracy and transparency in government, principles which he daily invokes, will he take any action against Theodorou, whom he has appointed?”
Asked to comment later in the day, Theodorou said he would prepare his answer for today.
