An Interior Ministry letter requesting an investigation into whether any offences may have been committed in connection with journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis' online fundraising campaign has reached police after reportedly being lost en route.
Police confirmed through their press office that they received a letter on Wednesday afternoon from the chairman of the authority responsible for licensing nationwide fundraising drives.
The letter will now be examined before decisions are taken on any further action.
The development came hours after police initially informed Politis that the document had not yet been received.
"It has not been received. When it is received, it will be examined and actions will be decided accordingly. We have nothing in our hands," police had stated earlier.
Lost in transit
A source at the Interior Ministry said the original letter had been hand-delivered and addressed to the Chief of Police.
After being informed that the document had not been registered as received, instructions were issued for a copy of the same letter to be sent again.
According to information obtained by Politis, an internal inquiry was also launched within the ministry to determine what happened to the original delivery.
At the centre of the issue is whether Drousiotis' online fundraising campaign falls under the provisions of Cyprus' fundraising legislation and, consequently, whether any criminal offence may have been committed.
Clarification from the Interior Minister
On Tuesday evening, following criticism of earlier remarks about the investigation, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou clarified that referring the matter to police does not predetermine criminal prosecution.
He said that even if authorities conclude the campaign does not fall within the scope of the law, no charges would arise.
The Christodoulides crowdfunding example
Drousiotis' fundraising campaign reached its €50,000 target in about 36 hours.
The journalist maintains it was not a fundraising drive as defined by law but rather a crowdfunding campaign, citing legal advice. He has also pledged to publish invoices and receipts showing how the money is spent.
The use of crowdfunding is not unfamiliar in Cypriot public life.
President Nicos Christodoulides used the same method during his campaign for the 2023 presidential election. His campaign website included a section entitled "Financial Support (Crowdfunding)", through which members of the public could contribute financially.
A number of sports clubs also raise money from supporters through similar methods without such activities generally being treated as licensed fundraising drives.
Journalists' Union concern
The issue has gained further significance following comments from legal sources who argue that, based on the stated purpose of the campaign, it does not appear to fall under Article 2 of the Fundraising Law.
Fundraising for election campaigns has been cited as an example in discussions about where the definition of a fundraiser ends and crowdfunding begins.
The Cyprus Journalists' Union (ESK) has also intervened.
In a written statement, it said:
"When a journalist is prosecuted criminally, the dangers lurking for freedom of expression are visible, tangible and foreseeable."
The union said it is following developments with serious concern and stressed the importance of ensuring equality before the law.
With the letter now before police, attention turns to how its contents will be assessed and whether authorities will conclude that there are grounds for further investigation.
