Former auditor-general and ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides has announced that the European Court of Human Rights has formally communicated part of his application to the Republic of Cyprus.
The complaint concerns a possible violation of his right to freedom of expression following his dismissal from office. Michaelides said the development does not prejudge the application’s admissibility or the court’s final ruling, but represents a significant step in the proceedings.
Article 10 complaint communicated to Cyprus
In a post on X, Michaelides said that on 20 August 2026, the president of the ECHR’s Fifth Section decided to communicate the part of his application concerning an alleged violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression.
The complaint asks whether his dismissal as auditor-general interfered with his freedom of expression in connection with public statements and actions which, according to Michaelides, related to the performance of his duties and matters of public interest.
Michaelides, who is now an MP and leader of the ALMA movement, said the communication was not merely an administrative step. He noted that the decision was taken by the president of the relevant section of the court and that the matter has now been put before the Republic of Cyprus for further examination.
Questions before the court
According to Michaelides, the ECHR has raised two principal questions:
- Whether his dismissal from the position of auditor-general constituted interference with his right to freedom of expression.
- If there was such interference, whether it was prescribed by law, pursued a legitimate aim and was necessary in a democratic society.
The court also referred to relevant case law, including Baka v. Hungary, Danileţ v. Romania and Kövesi v. Romania, which concern freedom of expression and the removal of public officials from office.
Michaelides stressed that the development does not determine either the admissibility of his application or the ECHR’s eventual judgment. He nevertheless described it as particularly important and said he remained “cautiously optimistic” as the proceedings continue.
