Matsakis was born in Limassol. He graduated from the University of London in 1976 with a BSc in microbiology and was awarded a PhD in biochemistry in 1981. He gained his medical degree from the University of Cambridge in 1984, and specialised in forensic medicine at the University of Glasgow, where he was awarded an MPhil in 1992. He then moved to Greece, where he continued his studies in forensic pathology. He returned to Cyprus in 1994. He initially assumed a position in the medical field, but soon became interested in politics and was elected as an MP in 1996.
Controversy
Smuggling claims
On 30 October 2005, the Cyprus Mail reported that Matsiakis' home in Pyrga had been raided twice during the week by police and CID officials, accusing him of smuggling antiquities. The newspaper said that he had "enough chests, amphoras and other artefacts for three antique stores". The first raid took place on 23 October 2005. Matsiakis can be prosecuted under Cypriot law, as the European Parliament lifted his immunity earlier in the month. He will also be charged with attempts to blackmail a drug squad officer in an unrelated case. Police officials found more than 110 chests and hundreds of Grecian urns on his property. Matsakis protested his innocence, stating, "It looks like some people do not want my voice to be heard in Cyprus or Europe." The Cyprus Mail reported on 22 August 2007 that all cases against Matsakis had collapsed and that he had been cleared. He called for an independent inquiry to examine possible police corruption, and to identify suspected political motives for the initiation of the whole affair, which started only three days after he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament. After two years, authorities returned 250 items that were confiscated from his home. The Attorney General of Cyprus, after studying the case, decided that no charge could be brought against Matsakis and all items seized from his home were to be returned to him.
Racism and homophobia
In 2008, Matsakis asked not to be sent "offensive" emails by fellow MEPs. The emails were invitations to the European Parliament's "Different Families, Same Love" exhibition, which showcased LGBT and mixed race families. He also complained to the president of the European Parliament about posters for the exhibition being stuck up near his office. LGBT activists in Cyprus pointed out Matsakis' hypocrisy regarding his stance against "non-normal" families, as his family situation included a child out of wedlock despite his Greek Orthodox beliefs. While participating on the talk showTolmo in 2012, Matsakis claimed that "homosexuality is not normal" yet asserted that there is no homophobia in Cyprus, despite several studies by the EU and other organisations concluding that Cyprus is one of the most homophobic nations in Europe.
