An investigation, which has reportedly been ongoing in secret for weeks, has brought to light new allegations, adding to a decades-long pattern of alleged misconduct at Cyprus' Central Prisons.
According to Phileleftheros newspaper the case involves a complaint made by an inmate of Iranian origin who is serving for drug-related offenses. The inmate is said to have revealed to investigators incidents that allegedly took place in the prisons during the tenure of Anna Aristotelous, who is currently suspended in relation to another criminal case.
The inmate voluntarily approached the CID of Police Headquarters. This was followed by three lengthy consecutive statements taken inside the prison. For safety reasons and to protect her testimony, she was then transferred outside the correctional facility.
According to her statements, for a long period of time and at regular intervals, she was escorted from the women’s wing to a specific office where she remained for hours. There she allegedly engaged in "inappropriate acts" with other individuals. Despite regulations requiring all inmates to remain in their wings until 21:00 on weekdays and 22:00 on weekends, she claims she was often outside her wing until the early morning hours. Records from the wing reportedly show frequent exits, which are now being examined by authorities.
Transfers outside the prison
Equally serious are the allegations concerning outings outside the prison on weekends, during which she was reportedly accompanied by senior officials of the correctional facility, according to the testimony under investigation. The testimony mentions trips to coastal areas for swimming, and photographic material allegedly exists and is being examined.
As part of the investigation, documents have been collected from the prison and are being reviewed, while statements are also being taken from staff members who are believed to have knowledge of what occurred.
Anna Aristotelous’ position
The former Prisons Director, through her lawyer Christos Triantafyllides, states that she was never informed of any such incident and that she would never have allowed anything of the sort to happen. She rejects all references to such actions and says she is watching with surprise the information now appearing publicly.
Triantafyllides further noted that his client has full confidence in the Cypriot justice system and will defend her legal rights by every lawful means, adding that he has no doubt about her eventual vindication, regardless of how long the process takes or the potential damage she may suffer in the meantime.