Nicosia, Cyprus. The Audit Office said it is investigating claims that former justice minister Marios Hartsiotis continues to have police guards assigned to him despite regulations. Auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou said the office has sought information from the Office of the Presidency.
Audit Office inquiry
Papaconstantinou confirmed on Monday that the Audit Office is looking into the matter after being contacted by the Cyprus Mail. He said the regulations do not provide for police escorts for commissioners.
Reports about police escort
The issue was reported by Reporter, which said Hartsiotis has been assigned police officers to escort him. Reporter said that in his current role as Presidential Commissioner he is not entitled to such protection, and that individuals who formerly served as justice ministers are likewise not entitled.
Request for clarification
Papaconstantinou said the Audit Office does not know as a fact whether Hartsiotis is receiving a police escort at present. He said the office has posed questions to the Office of the Presidency and is awaiting responses.
Origin of the complaint
Papaconstantinou said the complaint was filed with the Audit Office by a member of the public.
Earlier attention to the issue
According to Reporter, the matter had come up earlier when Hartsiotis was removed as justice minister during a cabinet reshuffle in early December 2025. Reporter said police sources at the time described the guards assigned to Hartsiotis, now as Presidential Commissioner, as being for “precautionary reasons”.
What steps should be taken to clarify when police escorts are permitted for public officials?
