Former President Nicos Anastasiades, on Friday, said he is ‘satisfied’ by the start of an investigation into the corruption allegations raised in the book “Mafia State” by Makarios Drousiotis.
Drousiotis, an investigative journalist and author, worked as an aide to President Anastasiades between 2013-2014. Since leaving the Presidential Palace, Drousiotis has written three books accusing the country’s political elite of widespread corruption, based on his experiences collaborating with Anastasiades.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Authority has started investigations into the claims of conflict of interest and corruption against Anastasiades, as outlined in the “Mafia State” book.
In a written statement, Anastasiades noted, “I heard this morning, with particular satisfaction, that the Commissioner for Transparency, Mr Haris Poyiadjis, has confirmed the commencement of the investigative process regarding the content of Mr Makarios Drousiotis’ book ‘Mafia State’.”
The statement recalls that Anastasiades himself had previously requested, via a letter dated November 29, 2022, to the Commissioner and the Anti-Corruption Authority, for a prompt investigation to examine the claims presented in the book.
“Respecting the laws and procedures of an ongoing investigation, I consciously avoid commenting on what some persistently and deliberately publicise daily, in order to establish as truth the malicious and libellous content contained in the said book,” Anastasiades added.
The former President emphasised his duty to contribute substantiated evidence so that the Committee can safely draw its own conclusions.
He reiterated his intention to reserve all his legal rights to take judicial action against those who have promoted, continue to promote or endorse similar defamatory claims.
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