Convicted ex-minister takes up EU post

Ousted former Health Minister Konstantina Akkelidou has been appointed as advisor to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou.

Akkelidou will provide Kyprianou with specialist advice and research material on public health and food safety issues.

Akkelidou had a short and chequered career as health minister, culminating in a conviction on November 26, 2004 for interfering with the course of justice when she wrote a letter to a judige hearing a criminal case, asking for leniency.

The first scandal relating to the minister occurred in November 2003, when classified documents were found in refuse sacks in the health ministry building, after the minister had ordered that they be cleared out.

Backed by the government until her trial, Akkelidou finally resigned when she had been found guilty.

According to a European Commission statement, “Ms Akkelidou has wide academic and professional experience in these sectors and has served as Minister of Health for the Republic of Cyprus”.