Deep waters are entered in May by the investigation of the Independent Authority against Corruption regarding what the journalist/author Makarios Drousiotis alleges in his book “State Mafia”.
The four inspection officers, tasked with the research, will conduct hearings with former officials of the Republic of Cyprus and Members of Parliament after Easter.
Among these witnesses will be former Attorney General, Kostas Clerides, who will testify for a whole day.
Furthermore, within a 24-hour period, the former Member of Parliament and ex-president of DISY, Averof Neophytou, former MP George Georgiou, and former Attorney General, Petros Clerides, are expected to give their testimony. Testimony will also be provided by former DISY MP, Maria Kyriakou.
Moreover, lawyer Alexandra Pelagia has already given a lengthy deposition.
Next Monday and Tuesday, Makarios Drousiotis himself is expected to testify again, for which two lengthy hearings have already taken place.
The inspection officers have already collected documents from the Parliament and the Court as part of their investigative work. Archives are also expected to be submitted by the Presidential Office.
It is clear that the four legal experts tasked with the investigation, based on the individuals summoned to testify, are focusing on the case of the Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The book “State Mafia” records what happened in Cyprus after his divorce. The alleged role of a major law firm and its relationship with the then President of the Republic, curious parliamentary proceedings to amend legislation, judicial decisions favoring the oligarch, and capital transfers were highlighted.
Anastasiades has categorically denied the allegations in public statements.
Meanwhile, last Tuesday, the former President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiades, filed a lawsuit at the Nicosia District Court, through his lawyers George Triantafyllidis and Theodoros Economou, against Makarios Drousiotis.
It is argued that the latter made malicious, false, and defamatory claims contained and presented in the books “State Mafia” and “The Gang”, as well as in an article dated 5/9/2013.
Anastasiades seeks punitive damages amounting to €2,000,000, and requests an injunction “prohibiting Mr. Drousiotis from reproducing and/or circulating and/or in any way publishing or republishing the above-mentioned books and/or publications.” The journalist/author, in a written statement, comments that this is a “distraction move due to my ongoing testimony before the Anti-Corruption Authority,” while alleging psychological blackmail by Mr. Anastasiades. He concludes by stating, “I faced Mr. Anastasiades in public discourse, I face him at the Anti-Corruption Authority, and I am ready to face him in court when and if this case is adjudicated.”
