Cyprus war prisoner association removes ineligible members amid benefits scandal

The Pan-Cyprian Association of War Prisoners of 1974 has deleted approximately 15 members from its registry after discovering they were absent from the International Red Cross prisoner records. This move followed a comparative analysis between the Association’s database and official Red Cross lists, sparking a broader investigation into the legitimacy of state benefits awarded to veterans.

The Auditor General recently issued a report confirming that at least six recipients of an annual €2,000 allowance were ineligible. Findings include a deserter captured a year after the invasion, an individual erroneously added to the list, and two others who lacked evidence of having served during the 1974 conflict. Association President Vasos Christodoulou alleged that some political parties historically facilitated the registration of ineligible individuals through Social Insurance records to secure votes, describing it as an attempt to bypass official scrutiny.

Parliamentary scrutiny is set to continue, with the Committee on Refugees and Missing Persons scheduled to review the matter further. The Association has requested detailed lists from the Audit Office to assist in ongoing cleansing efforts to ensure benefits reach legitimate prisoners.