Head of WHO’s Syria office faces allegations of fraud and abuse

One complaint cited by the Associated Press says: ‘Dr Akjemal’s aggressive and abusive actions are negatively impacting WHO’s performance to support Syrian people.’ Photograph: AP

The head of the World Health Organization’s Syria office has been accused of widespread mismanagement, including misspending donor money, plying government officials with gifts and pressing for contracts to be signed with regime officials and politicians.

Staff at the UN organisation have made numerous complaints about Dr Akjemal Magtymova, who has led WHO’s Syrian operations for almost three years, according to an investigation by the Associated Press.