Police have confirmed that a criminal investigation has been under way since May into a professor in the University of Cyprus Law Department, following complaints by two fellow academics in the same department. The complainants allege that, over a period of months, they received a stream of unwanted calls, messages and emails linked to applications and bookings they say they never made.
Politis knows the identities of all three academics but has chosen not to publish them at this stage.
The complainants' allegations
The complainants allege that, after Easter this year, they began receiving repeated phone calls at all hours on their personal mobiles from unknown people, including from foreign numbers, as well as WhatsApp messages. Their University of Cyprus email accounts, they say, were flooded with messages.
According to the two academics, all of these calls, messages and emails related to supposed applications, orders, bookings or expressions of interest that had allegedly been submitted in their names.
The father of one of the complainants also received a call from a dealership of a well-known car brand, regarding a supposed interest in buying a car.
Personal data disclosed without consent
The communications related, among other things, to supposed interest in buying or selling an apartment or land, enquiries to construction companies, a booking at a luxury restaurant, and contacts with dental clinics and IVF clinics in Cyprus.
As a result, the two academics' personal data was circulated and disclosed without their knowledge or consent.
Police findings
According to the complainants, a mistake appears to have been made during a phone call last May that led to the identification of the professor alleged to be behind the calls.
The two complainants were informed by the police that, according to its findings, there was reasonable suspicion that the actions under investigation may be connected to a person from their professional environment. Specifically, the police investigation identified a social media account linked to a colleague.
Search warrant executed
According to a letter from the complainants' lawyer to the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Christofides, the professor was called to give a statement to the police.
The two academics were informed by the police that it intended to continue the investigation and had obtained a court warrant to search the professor's premises, which was executed in his presence. Police took his devices in order to collect and assess further evidence as part of the investigation.
Notification of the rector
The rector was informed of the matter by one of the two complainants on 14 June 2026, and by the second complainant in writing on 29 July 2026. Both said they were unable to continue working alongside the professor given the situation, and asked for measures to protect them and address the matter.
Mr Christofides says he was officially informed by the police on 25 August 2026, and by the complainants' lawyer on 9 September 2026.
The rector's position
In repeated contacts with Politis, Mr Christofides said the university's regulations do not allow him to do anything other than inform the Academic Staff Disciplinary Committee, which he has done.
He maintained that the rector cannot take any further action, including in relation to ensuring a safe, dignified and appropriate environment for students, some of whom are minors, and for academic and other staff, or in relation to the proper functioning of the Law Department.
The professor under investigation remains a member of academic staff and teaches Law Department students. He is currently on sabbatical leave.
The disciplinary committee
The Academic Staff Disciplinary Committee has sought a legal opinion from the University of Cyprus's legal advisers on further action, which, according to information obtained by Politis, it has had for several days.
Asked by Politis, the committee's chair, Ilia Hadjipanayioti Sangmeister, said: "The Disciplinary Committee for Academic and Other Teaching Staff is already investigating the matter you refer to. The stages of the procedure are described in the University of Cyprus legislation, which is freely accessible. As no final decision has yet been taken, the committee cannot provide further information."
The professor's response
Politis sent written questions to the professor by email and informed him of the report. His lawyer replied in writing: "An email has been sent by you to Mr XX. My client reserves all his legal rights and, with respect, will not respond to your email."
Police confirmation
Police confirmed that a criminal investigation into a professor of the University of Cyprus Law Department has been under way since last May.
"The investigations are at an advanced stage, a great many actions have been taken and certain requests for legal assistance are awaited. The rector's authorities were informed in writing from the very first moment," police said.
