In the coming days, barring any unexpected developments, investigations by the Anti-Corruption Authority into the "Mafia State" case and by the independent criminal investigator into the Presidential Videogate case are expected to be completed. These are two major cases of alleged corruption and entanglement that have drawn significant public attention.
The first directly concerns former President Nicos Anastasiades, while the second concerns the current President Nicos Christodoulides, albeit indirectly due to the involvement of relatives and close associates.
Ample time was given for both investigations to be completed without interference. In the “Mafia State" case, nearly two and a half years were required due to the volume of material and testimonies, while the Videogate investigation has been ongoing for more than five months.
Now comes the time of the findings, which will determine whether criminal responsibilities arise and whether prosecutions are justified, a decision that ultimately rests with the Attorney General.
We will not rush to prejudge the conclusions of these important investigations, nor adopt rumours or claims circulating about them.
What must be stressed to those who will sign off on the reports is that their own impartiality, sound judgment, integrity and independence, as well as that of the institutions they represent, will be judged as well.
This does not mean that their findings must necessarily incriminate high-level officials or their associates. Rather, it means that whatever conclusions they reach must be fully substantiated and capable of convincing beyond any doubt.
In a country where trust in institutions and the justice system has been severely eroded, where the prevailing perception is that impunity dominates and that everything is interconnected, the burden on them is immense. They must demonstrate the opposite.
We repeat, not by naming and shaming individuals to satisfy public sentiment, but by uncovering and proving the truth, and only the truth.
The recent example of the police investigation into the 'Sandy' case should serve as a point of reflection. While the public heard what appeared to be a convenient conclusion that put everything in order, many questions and concerns remained unanswered, reinforcing suspicion.
This now places even greater pressure on those responsible to show that something still functions in this country, and that there is still hope.
