The case returned to Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, where Education Minister Athena Michaelidou was asked to explain how her ministry handled a sexual harassment dossier involving a senior official. MPs focused on why a file that the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudswoman) had requested was not forwarded, despite what the ministry says was a green light from the Legal Service.
The Case In Brief
The senior official is currently on suspension. A criminal case has been filed against him for alleged sexual harassment of subordinates, including one allegation concerning a period when the complainant was a minor. According to Committee chair Irene Charalambidou, there were three complaints in total; one was later withdrawn after no disciplinary action followed.
Minister Michaelidou said sexual harassment has “no place” in the ministry. She noted that duties were removed from the accused immediately and that a disciplinary probe was launched “in full legality.” She added that the ministry sought Legal Service advice at every step and that the matter “was closed with its concurrence.” On the failure to transmit the file to the Ombudswoman, she acknowledged procedural ambiguities and said “the legislation was not entirely clear.”
What Officials Said About The File
Ministry Director-General George Panteli stated that during the disciplinary process the Legal Service had advised not to release the file, and that a “final position” arrived only on 9 October, instructing release “after the investigation’s completion.”
By contrast, Legal Service officer Zoe Kyriakidou told MPs there was a “clear position that the ministry had to provide the information,” which she said was conveyed by phone to ministry officials.
Lawmakers asked who at the ministry received the Legal Service’s view and whether there was deliberate suppression. The minister replied that the administration had sought written confirmation and stressed: “As the political head, I do not accept anything by phone.”
The Open Questions
Parliament is now seeking a documented timeline of communications between the ministry and the Legal Service, a clear legal basis for withholding or releasing the file at each stage, and an explanation of how a disciplinary probe found nothing while a criminal case is now before the court.