An anonymous complaint submitted to the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority refers to a serious incident of alleged violence between police officers inside a police station in the Nicosia district. According to the complaint, a senior officer attempted to physically assault a female police officer while on duty, an act that was reportedly prevented by the intervention of a third officer present at the scene.
Submission of the anonymous complaint
The Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority recently received an anonymous complaint concerning a serious incident that allegedly took place inside a police station in the Nicosia district. The complaint described an episode of violence between members of the Police Force, involving a senior officer and a subordinate female police officer.
According to the allegations, the officer verbally attacked the female officer, insulted her and ordered her to leave the police station while she was on duty. It is further alleged that the officer attempted to physically assault her and would have done so had another police officer not intervened to restrain him.
Preliminary examination by the Anti-Corruption Authority
Following a preliminary assessment of the complaint and based on the information provided, the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority concluded that the matter fell outside its legal mandate.
The Authority explained that the complaint did not relate to acts of corruption, as required under its jurisdiction, and therefore could not be investigated by the Authority itself.
Reasons for lack of jurisdiction
In its decision, the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority set out three key reasons for declining to pursue the complaint:
- The allegations, as presented, did not include sufficient elements indicating intent to cause unlawful damage to a third party or the acquisition of unlawful benefit, which are necessary criteria for examining corruption-related offences.
- The complaint was submitted anonymously, making it impossible for the Authority to communicate with the complainant in order to seek further clarification or additional evidence.
- The actions allegedly committed by the police officer may constitute criminal and or disciplinary offences, for which other competent bodies or services are responsible.
Referral to competent oversight bodies
Although it did not proceed with an investigation, the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority encouraged the anonymous complainant to submit the case to the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints Against the Police, which is the body legally responsible for examining complaints concerning the conduct of police officers.
Alternatively, the complainant was advised to file a report with the Internal Audit Service of the Police, which, under the relevant legislation, is authorised to conduct investigations and inquiries based on named or anonymous complaints, as well as information or reports relating to acts of corruption.
Publication of the decision
Given the anonymous nature of the complaint and the inability to notify the complainant directly, the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority proceeded to publish its decision on its official website in order to ensure transparency and public awareness.