Constantina Akkelidou
Constantina Akkelidou | |
|---|---|
Ντίνα Ακκελίδου | |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 1 March 2003 – 26 November 2004 | |
| President | Tassos Papadopoulos |
| Preceded by | Frixos A. Savvides |
| Succeeded by | Andreas Christou |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 March 1946 Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Party | Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) |
| Alma mater | Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia |
| Occupation | Politician, chemist |
Constantina 'Dina' Akkelidou (Greek: Ντίνα Ακκελίδου; born 29 March 1946) is a Cypriot chemist and politician who served as Minister for Health in Cyprus from March 2003 to November 2004.
Early life and career
Akkelidou was born in Nicosia, Cyprus.[1] She studied chemistry at an undergraduate and postgraduate level, and became involved in leftist movements during her time as a student.[2][1] She received a Master of Science in analytical chemistry from the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.[2]
In 1989, Akkelidou became the director of the State General Laboratory, remaining in the role until 2003.[2] She has also served on food safety committees for both the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization,[2]and as president of the Antinarcotic Council of Cyprus.[3]
Political career
On 1 March 2003, Akkelidou was appointed Minister of Health by President Tassos Papadopoulos, succeeding Frixos Savvides.[4][5] In 2004 she sent a letter to a judge in Larnaca, requesting that the judge be lenient with a particular defendant, described as a reformed drug addict. On 26 November 2004, a Nicosia District Court found her guilty of interfering with the course of justice and fined her £1,000.[6] She resigned the same day, and was later succeeded by Andreas Christou.[4][7] In April 2005, the Supreme Court of Cyprus overturned her conviction in a 9–3 decision, prompting the resignation of Attorney General Solon Nikitas, who disagreed with the ruling.[8]
In April 2005, Akkelidou was appointed special advisor to Markos Kyprianou, the European Commissioner of Health and Consumer Protection.[2][9][10] In the 2006 legislative election, she was elected to the House of Representatives of Cyprus, representing the Nicosia constituency as a member of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL).[2] She took office on 11 January 2007.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Fifty Years of Cyprus Parliament" (PDF). Republic of Cyprus. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Akkelidou Dina". www.parliament.cy. Archived from the original on 24 June 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Akkelidou Dina". www.parliament.cy. Archived from the original on 24 June 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Previous Ministers / Deputy Ministers". Council of Ministers Republic of Cyprus.
- ^ Europa Publications (2003). The Europa World Year Book 2003. Taylor & Francis. p. 1356. ISBN 978-1-85743-227-5.
- ^ "Akkelidou quits on guilty verdict". Cyprus Mail. 27 November 2004. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Cypriot ex-minister fined over letter, tribliv.com, 29 November 2004. Accessed 1 January 2021.
- ^ Psyllides, George (26 November 2016). "Cyprus justice subverted by corruption". Cyprus Property News. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ "EU job for disgraced former minister". Cyprus Mail. 19 April 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Attorney General to submit resignation, Financial Mirror, 27 April 2005. Accessed 1 January 2021.