The Independent Authority Against Corruption is set to appoint investigators tasked with probing allegations of conflict of interest and corruption against ex-President Nicos Anastasiades.
The probe comes in response to the accusations detailed in Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State.”
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.
According to philenews, preliminary discussions have already taken place between the Authority and Drousiotis.
The two parties are scheduled to meet again next Thursday, November 23 to discuss the findings outlined in the book and establish the terms of reference for the inspection officials who will be assigned to scrutinise the claims. The author will be represented by his lawyer.
Philenews writes that Drousiotis has expressed his willingness to share additional information underlying his book’s revelations, particularly concerning the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and the events surrounding his divorce in Cyprus.
In his books, Drousiotis writes that Rybolovlev reportedly used his relationship with Anastasiades to influence Cyprus’ political system to promote his financial interests.
While researching the case, Drousiotis alleged that the Cypriot government used spyware and bugging against him, saying that his cell phone and computer were hacked in 2018.
Head of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Haris Poyiadjis, is reportedly seeking expertise from Greece to lead the investigation into the book’s allegations, underlining the international significance of the case.
Simultaneously, the Authority awaits the imminent release of a draft report from the first major investigation, conducted by British officials. This investigation delves into two complaints involving the suspension of criminal prosecutions, centring around Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides. The submission of this report is imminent, philenews writes.
In a parallel investigation, the anti-corruption watchdog is currently concentrating on gathering information concerning two complaints made by MP Christos Christofides, related to the Cyprus Investment Programme.
One of these complaints focuses on five foreign investors who obtained Cypriot citizenship and subsequently made contributions to the Democratic Rally (Disy). The other complaint involves Russian-born investors, now Cypriot citizens, who were shareholders in the Russian Promsvyazbank.
In a report released in October, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) said that Cyprus needs to enhance accountability among top officials in executive power and law enforcement in order to address the pervasive public perception of widespread corruption.
The report noted that “institutional shortcomings” in the country’s political and justice systems allow for influence-peddling and corruption.
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