CHARALAMBOS Ioannides, the Cyprus ambassador in Moscow, has been recalled from his position by the Foreign Ministry pending an investigation into alleged irregular expense claims made at the embassy.
Christodoulos Pashardis, the ministry’s Director-general, is leading the investigation, and confirmed that the ambassador had arrived in Cyprus yesterday morning.
“He was recalled from his post to ensure that he could in no way influence the investigation,” Pashardis said.
He also explained that Ambassador Tassos Jonis has been sent to Moscow to gather evidence for the investigation and will interview all staff at the embassy. “According to the regulations he must interview all persons involved or those who can provide evidence or give any information that can aid the investigation,” Pashardis said.
Ioannides allegedly made payments of $900 to a fictitious housemaid to mask false claims for expenses.
“It is not the amount, it is the principle,” the director-general said.
The alleged financial irregularities are reported to have taken place between October and December last year when expense receipts were submitted claiming salary payments for a second housemaid.
The Foreign Ministry asked the embassy in Moscow for more details about the new employee, and advised that a second housemaid was not required. An internal investigation was undertaken, headed by Pashardis.
“We are obliged to file a report to the Attorney-general’s office within 40 days. During his absence the chargé d’affaires will carry out the Ambassador’s duties.”
Once the report has been filed a copy will be sent to the Auditor-general’s office and the Attorney-general before any decision is taken. Pashardis said that if the allegations against Ioannides are proven, “the ambassador will be asked to resign his position immediately”.
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.
