At last, the time has come. After two and a half years of investigations by the Anti-Corruption Authority, we will learn today, shortly before noon, whether the serious allegations of corruption made against former President Nicos Anastasiades in the book Mafia State by his former associate Makarios Drousiotis are substantiated.
Today it will become clear whether Nicos Anastasiades is the most corrupt President to have served the country, as portrayed by Makarios Drousiotis, or whether he is the victim of what he himself has repeatedly described as a slanderer and fabricator.
The Anti-Corruption Authority will issue a detailed statement on the findings of its investigation into the “Mafia State” case. The announcement will be made public only after those who were investigated are first informed, with former President Nicos Anastasiades the first to be notified.
Others also implicated, if...
If the Authority’s findings indicate possible criminal offences on the part of Mr Anastasiades, it is considered certain that other former officials or close associates will also come under scrutiny, as they are alleged to have implemented or assisted in carrying out his decisions and instructions. Therefore, in such a case, the former President will not be the only person examined for potential criminal offences.
Recusals and the investigation
If the Anti-Corruption Authority concludes that there are possible criminal offences in the “Mafia State” case, Attorney General Giorgos Savvides and Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides will have to abstain from any involvement. This is because former President Nicos Anastasiades, who appointed them first as ministers and later to their current positions, is among those under investigation.
The need to ensure full independence and impartiality in handling the case was highlighted in an interview with Politis by lawyer Ilias Stefanou. He noted that the study and evaluation of the Authority’s findings should also be assigned to legal experts of recognised standing, so that the process does not remain solely in the hands of members of the Legal Service, who are hierarchically subordinate to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General.
Mr Stefanou stated:
“Any report, whether it includes recommendations for investigating potential criminal offences by any individual or is exculpatory, is submitted for judgment to the Attorney General of the Republic. (…) Since in the present investigation both the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General served in the Anastasiades government, they must refrain from any decision. Given that all members of the Legal Service are subordinate to its leadership, it would be more appropriate for those handling the review of the Authority’s recommendations and the gathered evidence to be assisted by legal experts of recognised standing, such as former judges or experienced lawyers, who can provide external assurance of independence and objectivity in the decision on whether or not to initiate criminal proceedings.”
Appointment of criminal investigators
If, based on the Authority’s findings, a criminal investigation is deemed necessary, it should be assigned to independent criminal investigators to ensure impartiality, credibility and public confidence in the outcome.
New headache for Anastasiades
Meanwhile, on the eve of the publication of the Authority’s findings on “Mafia State”, a second book, authored by former AKEL secretary-general Andros Kyprianou, adds to the pressure by supporting claims made by Makarios Drousiotis regarding former President Nicos Anastasiades.
Speaking on Politis radio, Mr Kyprianou referred to parts of his book Through the Clashing Rocks of the Cyprus Issue – A Personal Testimony. He said it includes information conveyed to him by former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras regarding Anastasiades and the investor naturalisation programme known as the “golden passports”.
According to Kyprianou, Mr Tsipras told him that Anastasiades had spoken about financial benefits he gained during his first presidential term and the even greater gains he expected during his second. Kyprianou added that other individuals could confirm hearing the same account from Tsipras.
Hasikos could not tolerate it…
Kyprianou also referred to a conversation he had with former Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos. According to his account, in May 2018 Hasikos requested a meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with how Anastasiades and his family were handling the “golden passport” programme.
Kyprianou said Hasikos told him he had gone to the Presidential Palace to warn Anastasiades that citizenship applications were being submitted by his daughters’ law firm and that this practice “would send them to prison”. According to Kyprianou, Anastasiades reacted angrily and said he had already warned his family to stop. However, he added that a few days later Anastasiades himself submitted a new set of applications for approval to the Interior Ministry on behalf of his daughters’ law firm.
Two-state solution…
Beyond the “golden passports,” Kyprianou also returned to the events at Crans-Montana, repeating the claim that Turkey’s then foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had told him personally that Anastasiades had left open the possibility of discussing a two-state solution after the presidential elections. He said that similar claims have also been made publicly by other political figures.
It is noted that in December 2020, former Archbishop Chrysostomos stated in an interview with Politis that Anastasiades had told him he was considering a two-state solution for Cyprus.
After that statement, Anastasiades issued a response expressing regret, noting that the Archbishop had misunderstood his positions.
