The investigation by the Independent Authority Against Corruption in May will begin examining the allegations made by journalist/author Makarios Drousiotis in his book “State Mafia.”
The four inspection officers tasked with the investigative work will conduct hearings with former officials of the Republic of Cyprus and Members of Parliament after Easter.
Among these witnesses will be the former Attorney General, Kostas Clerides, who will testify for a whole day.
Additionally, within a 24-hour period, the former president of DISY, Averof Neophytou, former MP George Georgiou, and former Attorney General Petros Clerides are expected to testify. Testimony will also be given by former DISY MP Maria Kyriakou.
Furthermore, lawyer Alexandra Pelagia has already provided lengthy testimony.
Next Monday and Tuesday, Makarios Drousiotis himself is expected to testify again, having undergone two lengthy hearing processes.
The inspection officers have already collected documents from the House of Representatives and the Court as part of their investigative work. Archives are also expected to be submitted by the Presidential Palace.
It is evident that the four legal professionals entrusted with the investigation, based on the individuals summoned to testify, are focusing on the case of Russian oligarch Dmitry Ribolovlev.
The book “State Mafia” records what happened in Cyprus after the oligarch’s divorce. The purported role of a major law firm and its relationship with the then President of the Republic, curious parliamentary procedures for amending legislation, judicial decisions favorable to the oligarch, and capital transfers are all documented. Mr. Anastasiades has categorically rejected the accusations in public written statements.
Meanwhile, last Tuesday, former President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiades filed a lawsuit in the Nicosia District Court through his lawyers George Triantafyllidis and Theodoros Economou against Makarios Drousiotis.
The position is presented that the latter made malicious, false, and defamatory allegations 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, while requesting an order “prohibiting Mr. Drousiotis from repeating and/or circulating and/or in any way publishing or republishing the aforementioned books and/or articles.”
The journalist/author, in a written statement, comments that the aforementioned is a “distraction maneuver due to my ongoing testimony before the Anti-Corruption Authority,” while alleging psychological blackmail by Anastasiades. He concludes by noting that “I faced Mr. Anastasiades in public dialogue, I face him before the Anti-Corruption Authority, and I am ready to face him in court when and if this case is tried.”
