The Ombudswoman, Maria Stylianou Lottidou, described as “unprecedented” the refusal of the Education Ministry to provide her office with the file of a sexual harassment complaint, arguing that the stance undermines the role of the Ombudswoman.
According to Lottidou, her office requested the file last November in order to examine complaints lodged by two ministry officials against a senior colleague. “Never, with any other agency, organisation or ministry, have we asked for information and been refused,” she told Politis.
Delay Blocks Investigation
The Commissioner warned that the delay has rendered any disciplinary inquiry impossible, as the case is now before the courts: “The law is clear. Once a complaint is before the judiciary, any disciplinary investigation is suspended. So even if we receive the file today, we cannot investigate further.”
She added that in the last three years (2022–2025) her office has handled 13 sexual harassment cases, but this is the first time a ministry has withheld information.
Ministry Defends Procedures
Education Minister Athina Michaelidou defended her ministry’s handling of the matter, insisting that procedures were followed and rejecting suggestions of a cover-up.
“There is no such case,” she said on state television. “Specific regulations were followed. He was entitled to promotion once the case was closed. While the disciplinary process was ongoing, the officer was removed from his duties, as provided by law.”
However, correspondence seen by Politis shows that the senior official in question remained in post until very recently.