Health minister clears state in Elam member Nazi salute probe

The health minister has said that an investigation into an event taking place in May, where a member of the Elam party apparently gave the Nazi salute while visiting a state hospital, has found nothing untoward on the part of any state agency.

Health Minister Michalis Damianou was responding to questions submitted by an Akel MP regarding an incident occurring on May 17, when an Elam member was spotted giving the Nazi salute during an Easter event at Makario hospital in Nicosia.

Geadis Geadi, a member of Elam and now an MEP, was said to have made the gesture during an event where the Holy Fire was brought to the hospital as part of Christian Orthodox traditions during Easter.

The Akel MP had then asked for an account of the events, such as whether the state health services organisation (Okypy) had sanctioned the event and who had issued the permit.

Responding in writing, the minister informed parliament that Okypy was in no way involved in the event. The organisation, responsible for running state hospitals, had neither been informed of the event nor had it been asked for its permission.

The minister also said the event had no connection whatsoever to any political party – evidently alluding to the presence of Geadi and in what capacity he was there.

Moreover, the passing of the Holy Fire appears to have been an initiative by private organisations, such as motorcyclist groups. And it involved multiple locations, not only the Makario hospital.