THE COMPETITION Commissioner’s repeated delays in testifying to the Ombudswoman has brought her investigation into the CPC scandal to a halt.
Eliana Nicolaou yesterday told CyBC radio that CPC Chairman Giorgos Christofides had requested at least two time extensions to reiterate his account of events.
Christofides is facing the accusation of violating his employees’ human rights, after staff claimed he had been monitoring their personal correspondence and conversations.
The dispute has sparked an indefinite strike by CPC staff, backed by civil servants’ union PASYDY.
The police investigation into the case is being examined by Attorney-general Petros Clerides, who will determine whether there is a criminal case against the CPC boss.
Meanwhile, the Ombudswoman’s investigation is expected to be complete by early September, provided Christofides meets the latest and final deadline he has been given to testify.
“An extension was given, and I am expecting to have Mr Christofides’ positions on the matter within the next 10 days,” Nicolaou said yesterday.
She added that the investigation would have been completed by now, if it wasn’t for Christofides’ repeated requests to postpone his deposition.
She said it was considered a very serious case, which was why her office began taking testimonies straight away.
“The complaint began being investigated from the very first moment,” said Nicolaou. “The aim was for the investigation to be completed and the result issued as soon as possible.”
She explained, “We have taken depositions from the civil servants who submitted the complaint.
“We have also invited the CPC chairman to the office to offer his position, which is necessary for the development of the investigation.
“Mr Christofides requested time to submit his own positions. He was given that time and the aim was for the investigation to be complete, and by the end of August to have our result.
“Mr Christofides returned with a letter requesting a time extension – a very big time extension that couldn’t be given because we believed it could be done sooner than that.”
Once her office secures the CPC boss’ account of events, Nicolaou said that would set the path for how the case would develop further.
“We will see whether we will have to investigate administrative files or if we will move straight to the final conclusion,” she pointed out.
“My investigation is based on the administrative field, it will not conclude to accusations of a criminal nature. Just specifications on the problems in working relationships. From there on, the criminal side of the case will be handled by the relevant authorities.”
She added: “The report will be useful to many and it is good for all to know what kind of environment should prevail at work.”
