Former forest department director disputes audit office findings

Charalampos Alexandrou, the former director of the Cyprus Department of Forests, sent a formal letter to the Auditor General challenging the special report published on January 27, 2026. The audit covered the department's regulatory activities between 2018 and 2024. Alexandrou characterized the audit as biased, unfair, and hostile, arguing that it created a misleading public perception regarding the management of state forest land. Regarding revenue arrears, he stated that the audit only highlighted the €1.3 million outstanding at the end of the period, failing to mention that initial arrears exceeded €5 million. He further clarified that leasing state forest land is the authority of the Council of Ministers, not the department itself. Alexandrou specifically cited that hotel leases in Ayia Napa date back to the 1970s and 1980s under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The letter was also copied to the Minister of Agriculture and the current department leadership. The Auditor General’s office maintains its regulatory review, while Alexandrou insists the findings provide an incomplete picture of administrative actions.