Clarinet-playing officer’s promotion investigation heating up

The case of a police officer who appears to have been promoted under false credentials of musical proficiency, is heating up on Monday.

Initial investigations into the case have focused on three members of a reassessment committee, according to daily Phileleftheros which broke the story on Saturday.

According to the daily, the three members of the reassessment committee had been selected in 2021, under then justice minister Emily Yiolitis, after conferring with police chief Stelios Papatheodorou.

The team of three allegedly re-examined the police officer’s initial promotion bid after it had initially failed.

Forgery of a ministry of education letter is also being examined, in which the points awarded were allegedly made to appear legitimate.

It was earlier reported that the officer had risen in the ranks for his recorded proficiency in playing the clarinet and other musical skills, for which he was awarded a disproportionate six points, propelling him ahead of others shortlisted.

The matter was referred to the anti-corruption authority on August 12 and is being probed. Three officers have been represented in a letter sent to the administrative court by their lawyer, which argues that they were illegitimately bypassed for promotions.

Suspicions of graft have also been raised.

The higher education accreditation body (Dipae), meanwhile, has said that it does not recognise musical proficiency certificates as equivalent to university degrees, as the possibly forged ministry letter allegedly states.

Chief of Police Stelios Papatheodorou has said that the case will be thoroughly investigated, bringing to bear all appropriate organs of the state.