With the report of the Anti-Corruption Authority now in the hands of the Legal Service and part of it with the Tax Commissioner, the way is open for the next steps. The next major development now concerns when the Council of Ministers will proceed with the appointment of independent criminal investigators.
According to Politis information, this question may be clarified even today. It will also become clear whether the appointment of the independent criminal investigators will take place at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.
The report in digital form was delivered yesterday morning to the Legal Service. After being processed through the registry, it was handed to the Prosecution Council for study and evaluation. The Prosecution Council, which consists of eight state prosecutors, has taken over handling of the case following the decision of Attorney General Giorgos Savvides, Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides and the head of the Criminal Law department Elena Kleopa to recuse themselves from any procedure related to the criminal investigation of the findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority.
It is noted that only the extensive report itself, which runs to nearly 3,000 pages, was delivered to the Legal Service in electronic form. The evidential material was not submitted and it was decided that it should remain stored at its current location until a decision is taken on who will conduct the criminal investigation. The evidential material will later be placed in the hands of the criminal investigators so that it can be used for the purposes of the investigation.
It is also worth noting that after the initial shock caused by the findings of the report, the discussion has shifted to individuals and the positions they held during the period in question, and their possible connection to the events described. There is also considerable discussion about individuals who are not named in the summary report released by the Anti-Corruption Authority, without this necessarily meaning that they may not be subject to criminal investigation.
Letters of disagreement
At least two of the individuals named in the report, in connection with possible criminal offences, have sent letters to the Anti-Corruption Authority expressing strong disagreement with the findings of the investigating officers in relation to Mafia State.
According to information, former deputy attorney general Rikkos Erotokritou and former head of the anti-money laundering unit MOKAS Eva Papakyriakou set out their positions in their letters regarding what is stated in the report that was made public.
As regards the former deputy attorney general, he argued in his letter that all his actions on December 3, 2013 were carried out with the written approval of the then attorney general, Costas Clerides. In any case, the positions and arguments of those under investigation in relation to Mafia State will be taken into account in the criminal investigation that will follow.
Anastasiades speaks today
Former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who was at the centre of the investigation into the book Mafia State, is holding a press conference today at 11:00 at the Journalists’ House.
According to a statement from his office, Anastasiades will respond “comprehensively and with documentation to all issues arising from the investigation of the Anti-Corruption Authority”.
