Dialogos

Report Findings Confirm What the Public Saw in the Video

Published January 22, 2026, 14:00
Report Findings Confirm What the Public Saw in the Video

The Control Committee requested answers from the Government regarding potential collusion and conflicts of interest concerning the Independent Social Support Agency for the period 2018-2024. The Auditor General, Andreas Papakonstantinou, presented the Annual Report, which focused on the regulatory and administrative audit of the agency, not the financial one. The report identified weaknesses in registers and procedures, which have largely been corrected since 2023, with some recommendations remaining for further improvement. The refusal of the Central Bank of Cyprus to answer a question from the Audit Office regarding the application of controls for the legalization of illegal income in the agency's account was highlighted. The Audit Office suggests transferring the account to a commercial bank, where it could be audited by the CBC. A significant finding of the report is the fivefold increase in contributions and the threefold increase in expenditure since 2023, a characterization deemed as "unnatural behavior". Mr. Papakonstantinou recommended greater attention to the source of contributions and the tightening of safeguards. The report revealed that significant revenues came from large economic entities, including a company with a suspicious relationship with the state. The Audit Office calls for greater transparency and safeguards to avoid suspicion. The Accountant General confirmed the conduct of an extended audit and cooperation with the First Lady.