Audit Office questions police security detail for Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis

The Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus has initiated an inquiry into the police protection provided to Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis. Earlier this week, auditors sent a formal request to the Cyprus Police seeking clarification on the criteria used to approve a police guard for Mr. Hartsiotis in September 2026. The office aims to determine whether a mandatory assessment by the police security committee was conducted in accordance with established procedures.

This inquiry follows earlier administrative actions dating back to the spring of 2026, when the Audit Office began investigating the general use of police guards and official vehicles by government officials. In September, Minister of Justice Costas Fytiris ordered a broader review of security details assigned to former officials and their relatives, leading to re-evaluations of existing arrangements. Despite these policy shifts, the Audit Office reports that recent justifications provided by the Ministry regarding Mr. Hartsiotis’s specific security detail remain unsatisfactory, leaving the matter open for further investigation.

The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the necessity and transparency of ministerial security details. The Audit Office continues to monitor the situation, as the administrative dispute over these resources remains unresolved pending further documentation from the authorities.