Cyprus Ministry of Justice cancels police escort for former First Lady Androulla Vasiliou

Former First Lady of Cyprus Androulla Vasiliou has been left without a police escort after it was cancelled by Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris. The 83-year-old Vasiliou, widow of former Cypriot President George Vasiliou and a former European Commissioner, said she accepted the decision but considered it disrespectful to former state officials.

The escort was provided by one police officer and was needed only at official events: receptions at embassies, conferences where Vasiliou speaks, and visits to the Presidential Palace. She did not use police protection on private trips.

“Is it worthy of a state for a former first lady to circle an embassy looking for parking in order to attend an event?” Vasiliou said. She added that without an escort, she would gradually stop attending official events.

Vasiliou recalled that her husband, who led Cyprus from 1988 to 1993, never asked for increased protection: in the final years of his presidency, he had two police officers with him. According to her, the issue is not personal safety but respect for people who have held state office.

The Ministry of Justice provided no official explanation for the decision.