Journalist, researcher and author Makarios Drousiotis has received a strong response to an online fundraising campaign launched to help cover the costs of his legal defence and independent forensic examinations.
As of the morning of 11 August 2026, the campaign had raised €35,294 through the GoGetFunding platform, with 551 donors contributing to the effort. A further 114 people were following the campaign to receive updates on its progress.
The fundraiser, titled "I Ask for Your Help to Defend the Truth", was created by Drousiotis in Nicosia and listed under the platform's legal category.
According to the information available on the fundraising page, the campaign had been online for approximately 22 hours, meaning the amount was raised in less than a day.
Drousiotis issued a public appeal on 10 August 2026, arguing that he is facing exceptionally high financial costs as a result of ongoing court proceedings.
He has said that the Legal Service is prosecuting him before the Criminal Court on 80 charges which, according to him, relate to publications connected to the "Sandy" case.
Drousiotis rejects the allegations and maintains that the prosecution against him is retaliatory in nature.
In his appeal, he stated that all funds raised would be used exclusively for legal representation, forensic examinations and court-related expenses. He also said that aggregate information regarding contributions and expenditures would be made public.
The early response suggests that the appeal resonated with hundreds of citizens within hours of being launched.
The total continues to change as additional donations are received.
