TEPAK rector released from custody

Rector of the Technology University of Cyprus (TEPAK) Elpida Keravnou was released from custody on Friday, after police failed to build a case against her in connection with allegations she had interfered with lecturers’ promotions.

Keravnou was arrested on Monday on suspicion that she forged a detailed list of university lecturers who were to be promoted. Since the moment of her arrest Keravnou maintained that she was innocent, admitting on the one hand that she did change the document but explaining that she did so to correct a series of mistakes that would derail the process in the future.

The rector had argued that she was merely fulfilling her duties.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides told CyBC radio that the case was not yet closed and that the investigation was still ongoing. “When we are done we will hand over the case file to the Attorney-general’s office. He will decide what will happen next,” said Angelides.

Main opposition party AKEL criticised police over their handling of the case, saying that it was “amateurish and unprofessional and led to the public shaming of an academic who has served higher education for over two decades.”

Angelides responded to AKEL’s criticism, issuing a statement saying that bringing the rector to court was completely justified, “since we had secured testimonies in the process of an investigation.” Angelides added that the case was still ongoing and rejected claims of mismanagement, pointing out that police “have in the recent past successfully handled complicated and serious cases.”

 

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