Justice ministry denies preferred candidate selected for central prisons director post

Nicosia, Cyprus. The justice ministry on Wednesday rejected claims that a preferred candidate had already been selected as the next director of the central prisons, saying the appointment process remains underway.

It said the competent bodies are conducting the process under the existing institutional framework and that the ministry has no authority to assess or select candidates.

Appointment process

The ministry was responding to local media reports suggesting that a particular candidate had been unofficially chosen before the evaluation process was completed.

“Claims or assessments that a decision has already been made, that a particular candidate has been ‘locked in’ or that the ministry favours a specific candidate do not reflect reality,” it said.

All candidates will be assessed solely on the basis of established criteria and procedures, the ministry added.

Institutional framework

A candidate’s previous professional position or background would not provide grounds for preferential treatment, the ministry said.

It added that it respected the independence and responsibilities of the institutions involved and would accept the outcome of the process.

Reports in recent months have named possible candidates for the post, including a retired National Guard officer, raising questions over the government’s system for appointing senior public service officials.

Under procedures introduced by the present government, written examinations and an advisory council are used to select senior positions, including directors and general managers.