The verbal opinion offered by the Republic’s Legal Service to the Ministry of Education that a sexual harassment case needed further investigation, as well as the transfer of the specific case file, was lost somewhere between phone conversations, emails, and administrative misinterpretations, with members of the Human Rights parliamentary Committee calling for an investigation into which ministry ignored the Legal Service opinion—inadvertently or deliberately.
The way in which the whole affair was handled, has brought to light a web of procedural distortions and bureaucratic confusion that is now causing political and institutional upheaval.
The case, further discussed at the Committee yesterday, involves a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Education who is currently suspended from duty, as a criminal case for sexual harassment of his subordinates has been filed against him—with one of the complaints relating to a period when the complainant was a minor.
Despite the fact that the official was exonerated at disciplinary level and subsequently promoted, the justice system is now examining the case at criminal level.
Discussion focused on why the Ministry of Education did not deliver the file to the Commissioner for Administration in a timely manner, as it was obliged to do.
On one hand, the Legal Service maintains there was a clear directive—albeit verbal—that the information could be provided; on the other hand, however, the ministry insists there was no written statement and that without it, it could not proceed further.
Legal Service official Zoe Kyriakidou stated that the Prosecution ‘verbally clarified’ to ministry officials that the file could be provided, but the ministry requested written confirmation, which was subsequently never materialised.
In contrast, the Legal Service's final position was conveyed on October 9—months after the disciplinary investigation concluded—with clear instructions to provide the information ‘after the investigation is completed.’
No Cover-Up
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou maintained there was no intent to cover up, noting that ‘all information was forwarded to the police from the outset.’
She acknowledged, however, that ‘not everything is so clear in the legislation’ and that the ministry, in order to avoid exposure, was constantly seeking advice from the Legal Service.
‘As head of the ministry, I accept nothing by phone," she stated emphatically, in a jibe to the Legal Service. The ministry's Director General, Giorgos Panteli, explained that during the disciplinary proceedings, the Legal Service had recommended not releasing the file—a position the ministry faithfully followed. However, when the investigation was completed, the Legal Service—as he said—provided different guidance, leading to confusion and delays.
Three Complainants
This miscommunication opened a new round of questions in Parliament. MPs round the aisle called for an investigation into which Ministry of Education official was informed of the opinion and whether there was deliberate delay or cover-up.
As Committee Chair Irini Charalambidou noted, the lack of disciplinary action led one of the three complainants to withdraw her complaint.
Complex Procedures
Representatives from the Ministry of Labour also attended the session, pointing out that the institutional framework for investigating such cases remains chaotic.
Eleni Kouzoupi of the Equality Committee noted that many victims relinquish their rights because they don't know where to turn. Although the Committee provides free legal support, ‘the fund is not utilised as complainants don’t come forward,’ she noted.
Alexia Chatzikoumi, representing the Labour Department, stated there was an immediate response when the relevant complaint was filed, but ‘the Ministry of Education's difficulty in providing information’ led to a dead end.
The final report, she said, concluded that ‘no safe conclusions can be drawn.’ MPs spoke of a fragmented and inadequate investigative system, where services operate in isolation, without a single, clear protocol and without clear instructions on how sexual harassment cases in the public sector should proceed.
‘Not Everything Is Clear’
The Education Minister herself acknowledged that the laws are not always clear and that a minor mistake can land a case in court. She promised the ministry would proceed with amendments ‘where mistakes are identified."
Meanwhile, MPs called on the government to send a circular to all ministries with clear instructions on handling such complaints, in an effort toto prevent recurrences of ‘administrative blindness.’
DISY MP Rita Superman said the situation was problematic and complex, highlighting the lack of prevention mechanisms and victim protection.
Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou criticised state inertia, saying authorities created a hostile climate with threats of purging complainants.
AKEL MP Giorgos Koukoumas emphasised that what's needed now is for victims to have confidence that the state will be their ally, not an obstacle.