Police investigators have uncovered a web of alleged corruption involving three Forestry Department officials and multimillion-euro contracts for firefighting aircraft.
Findings from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) suggest the officials used their positions to steer lucrative government deals toward companies owned by their close relatives. In one instance, a single company secured contracts worth approximately €32 million.
The investigation, which covers the period from 2017 to 2024, intensified following a recent Supreme Court decision regarding a primary suspect. Police believe they now have enough evidence to bring the case to court and charge several individuals.
Relatives behind winning firms
Detectives looking into the three officials found family members positioned behind the companies benefiting from the deals.
The mother of the main suspect was a shareholder and officer in a legal entity that secured three contracts worth over €30 million. In another case, a company that won 18 contracts totalling €1.7 million was run by the brother of another official. Ownership of that firm was later transferred to the official’s daughter and nieces.
The investigation also revealed that two of the three suspects regularly used corporate vehicles owned by the firms winning the tenders for their daily travel.
Suspects controlled evaluation boards
The primary suspect allegedly acted as the coordinator for the evaluation committees on numerous tenders.
Out of 15 tenders launched for firefighting air services during the eight-year period, nine were cancelled and six were awarded to a specific company. The main suspect coordinated five of those six successful evaluations while using a company car provided by the winning bidder.
In another instance involving aircraft equipment, a witness claimed the suspect pressured a committee coordinator to favour four specific entities, including one owned by his mother.
Dramatic escape attempt
The investigation took a dramatic turn when CID officers raided the registered offices of a linked company. The main suspect, who was on-site, reportedly jumped from a balcony to avoid police, resulting in a fractured leg.
During subsequent searches of the corporate offices, investigators discovered cheques issued in the suspect’s name for five-figure sums.
The probe began in the summer of 2024 following a formal complaint to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou regarding a tender for two firefighting helicopters. A subsequent administrative enquiry found evidence of criminal conduct, leading the Attorney General to order a full police investigation into bribery, corruption, and abuse of power.
The three officials returned to work on 24 July 2025 after their mandatory six-month suspension expired, though authorities say they have been placed in roles that cannot interfere with the ongoing investigation.