Cyprus Police are awaiting the formal appointment of the independent criminal investigators tasked with examining the “Mafia State” case before providing investigative support, Police spokesperson Vyron Vyronos said on Tuesday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Vyronos said police expect the investigators to request assistance once they officially assume their duties following the publication of their appointments in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
“We are waiting for the official assumption of their duties through publication in the Official Gazette. Theoretically, they will then request assistance from police investigators,” he said.
Police ready to assist
Vyronos noted that the taking of witness statements and other investigative procedures is typically carried out by personnel familiar with local legal and procedural requirements to ensure that evidence is admissible in court.
“In such cases, assistance from the Police is always requested,” he said.
“If we are asked to assist, we will provide as much support as we can,” he added.
Case file expected via Cabinet
Asked whether the Police would hand over the case file to the independent criminal investigators, Vyronos said he expected the file to be provided by the Council of Ministers rather than by the Police themselves.
The investigation follows the findings of the Independent Authority Against Corruption, which recommended further criminal examination of issues raised in the Mafia State case.
Source: CNA
