As revealed, she allegedly used the tax files she had illegally removed and kept in her possession to support claims of corruption within the Tax Department before the Anti-Corruption Authority. However, the investigation that followed, carried out by three lawyers appointed by the Authority, did not confirm her allegations. The Commissioner of Taxation, Sotiris Markides, has requested a criminal investigation into the stolen files.
The discovery triggered alarm within the Tax Department, and according to information from Politis, the Commissioner of Taxation immediately contacted the Attorney General, George Savvides, requesting a criminal probe into the matter. The investigation is expected to determine the intentions of the official, including how she intended to use the strictly confidential tax data.
Authorities will examine whether her intentions may have included blackmail or the public disclosure of the documents, potentially aimed at discrediting the Tax Department or the former senior official and his family.
The Allegations
According to information from Politis, the senior Tax Department official disclosed to the three inspection officers appointed by the Anti-Corruption Authority that she had the tax files in her possession.
The inspectors had been appointed to investigate her complaints of corruption and/or abuse of power, as well as allegations of retaliatory behaviour, targeting, and reprisals.
Her complaints were directed against the Tax Department, its officials and her former supervisors, and included claims such as:
- Alleged loss of tax revenue due to the application of certain laws and internal procedures by the officials concerned.
- Failure to investigate complaints she had submitted since 2014 regarding violations of tax legislation and the failure to take corrective measures.
- Claims of retaliation, unfair and/or vindictive treatment, including her transfer and marginalisation at work, which she argued were linked to her complaints.
All Allegations Rejected
The Anti-Corruption Authority, as required by law and regulations, first conducted a preliminary examination and subsequently ordered a full investigation into the allegations.
To carry out the investigation, the Authority appointed three lawyers as inspection officers:
- Dr Maria Stylianidou, an expert on whistleblower protection,
- Roberto Vrahimis, and
- Chrysanthos Lazarou, both specialists in criminal law cases.
The findings of the investigation were announced by the Anti-Corruption Authority on 4 February 2026, concluding the following:
- Regarding the alleged conduct of officials and senior staff of the Tax Department, including the Commissioner of Taxation, the evidence did not demonstrate abuse of power.
- No ulterior motives, breach of hierarchy, intimidation, or reprisals were identified. The complainant’s transfer from her position was considered within the authority of management and fully justified. Despite her claims of marginalisation and lack of assigned duties, the investigation found that she had been given tasks but failed to complete them satisfactorily due to absences and limited cooperation.
- The evidence did not substantiate any acts of corruption, abuse of power, intimidation, or retaliation.
In its announcement, the Anti-Corruption Authority also commented on the credibility of the complainant, noting that although her testimony was considered alongside other evidence and testimonies, the testimony of other witnesses was preferred, as her statements contained ambiguities and weaknesses that limited the investigators’ ability to rely on her version of events.
Notification To The Tax Department
The Anti-Corruption Authority formally informed the Tax Department that during the investigation tax files belonging to citizens were submitted as evidence, which the complainant had illegally possessed. Despite the illegality of their possession, the documents were taken into account during the investigation of her allegations.
Suspension From Duty
For the sake of transparency and completeness, it is noted that disciplinary proceedings had already been initiated against the complainant in relation to another matter. That process was suspended until the Anti-Corruption Authority completed its investigation and issued its findings.
Additionally, the complainant was placed on suspension by decision of the Public Service Commission on 2 September 2022. According to her claims, the suspension constituted retaliation for the complaints she had filed, and she sought protection under the Whistleblower Protection Law.
Criminal Investigation
The case concerns serious criminal allegations relating to the illegal possession and handling of confidential state documents.
The potential charges include:
- Conspiracy to commit felonies and misdemeanours,
- Abuse of power,
- Violation of official secrecy,
- Theft by public officials, and
- Illegal possession of property.
The case was initially uncovered on 10 April 2025, when Police, investigating a separate case, conducted a search of the residence of a chief prison warder under a court warrant.
During the search, stacks of documents were discovered in locked rooms and seized. Among the seized material were architectural, topographical and spatial plans of the Central Prisons, files of convicted prisoners, disciplinary investigation records, internal correspondence, as well as documents from the Police and other state services.
A significant number of these documents were classified as “Secret” and “Confidential.”