To date, 520 complaints have been submitted to Cyprus’ Independent Authority Against Corruption. Many, however, were rejected after preliminary review, primarily for two reasons: they targeted private citizens rather than public officials, or they did not concern alleged acts of corruption.
The Authority noted that this shows many citizens still do not understand how it operates or what cases fall under its jurisdiction, often treating it as a general office for grievances.
According to Articles 6(2) and 7(1) of the law establishing the Authority, its remit is to investigate and assess allegations related to corruption. Complaints involving private sector actors may only be examined if they directly involve public officials, or if there are corruption cases in the public sector linked to private individuals.
Misplaced Complaints
Among the anonymous submissions rejected for lack of jurisdiction were:
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A builder accused of starting construction without the owner’s permission and charging €23,000.
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A plumber accused of overcharging and failing to issue a receipt.
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A doctor accused of posting an insulting comment about a politician on social media.
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A school staff member in Nicosia district accused of inappropriate behaviour.
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A woman accused of operating a private business without a licence.
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A neighbour accused of cutting down trees and building a garage without permits.
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A self-styled “Neighbourhood Watcher” asking the Authority to investigate a couple in Larnaca district for allegedly hiding undeclared income.
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Local residents asking the Authority to probe a private school in Limassol said to be operating without planning permission and with inadequate facilities.
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A private nursery in Nicosia accused of failing to issue receipts.
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A woman in Limassol accused of fraudulently claiming state benefits while concealing rental income.
Anonymous and Vague Submissions
The Authority accepts anonymous complaints. However, in such cases complainants cannot be informed of the outcome. To ensure transparency, the Authority publishes decisions on its website regarding how anonymous submissions are handled.
It has also rejected vague or general anonymous allegations of corruption against public officials when insufficient details were provided and no contact information existed for follow-up. The Authority has since urged citizens to submit all relevant information and evidence when filing anonymous reports.
How to File a Complaint
Complaints to the Authority can be submitted in writing through three channels:
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By hand delivery or post to the Authority’s offices at 10 Markou Drakou Street, 1040 Nicosia.
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By fax to 22756414.
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By email to complaints@iaac.org.cy.
The Process
All complaints, signed or anonymous, must be submitted on the official form available on the Authority’s website. They should include references to actual incidents that may constitute corruption offences, ideally naming the persons involved and supported by documents or evidence.
Before launching any investigation, the Authority evaluates whether the information points to an act of corruption. If not, it informs the complainant in writing. If the complainant’s details are unavailable, a notice is posted on the website.
If at any stage the Authority concludes that corruption may have occurred, inspectors are appointed to investigate. Should another type of offence be detected, unrelated to corruption, the matter is referred to the Attorney General for further action.