A new development involving a court-ordered compulsory hospitalisation may influence ongoing investigations into the “Sandy” case, with authorities examining a possible link to other strands already under review.
The order concerns a close relative of former judge Michalakis Christodoulou, who, according to information, personally applied for and secured the temporary hospitalisation order before the Nicosia District Court last week.
The application was filed by Christodoulou himself, who appeared before the court. A medical report was submitted in support of the request, and based on the evidence presented, District Judge Pavlos Agapitos issued the temporary order. The individual was subsequently transferred to a specialised ward at Athalassa Hospital.
The development has been brought to the attention of the investigative team handling the “Sandy” case, with discreet handling due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Among other issues, authorities are examining whether this aspect may have any bearing on the broader case.
Investigators have also identified a pseudonymous account on social media platform X, believed to belong to the same relative. Posts made on the account following claims published by Makarios Drousiotis are under scrutiny, with initial findings suggesting inconsistencies, particularly regarding the user’s stance on key issues dominating public debate in recent weeks.
Legal framework for compulsory hospitalisation
Under the Psychiatric Care Law of 1997, an application for a temporary hospitalisation order is submitted to the court by the patient’s personal representative. If no such representative is available, the application may be filed by the police or a social worker.
The application must be supported by a psychiatric evaluation confirming the necessity of hospitalisation.
A temporary hospitalisation order is valid for up to two weeks, during which the court sets a date to determine whether a longer-term order is required.
Court decision pending in parallel legal challenge
In related developments, lawyers representing Nikos Clerides argued before the Supreme Court on Thursday in support of a request to annul a search warrant issued for his home and office.
The legal team sought permission to file for a prerogative writ of certiorari to cancel the warrant. Should the court grant leave, the main application will follow. A decision on this preliminary stage is expected in the coming days.
In his oral submissions, lawyer Christos Clerides described the case as “very significant”, noting that it involves investigations within a legal environment and raises critical issues concerning personal data protection and professional confidentiality.
Anastasiades rejects claims
Former President Nikos Anastasiades also commented publicly for the first time on the case and his statement to police investigators.
Speaking on Omega TV, he said he gave a statement lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour at his residence in Limassol. Asked about its content, he said he addressed “what is referred to in the fiction adopted by Mr Drousiotis”.
Anastasiades rejected claims of visits and conversations with Christodoulou at his home.
“We never had such family relations to exchange visits. He never came to my house,” he said, suggesting the claims were deliberately promoted for pre-election purposes.
He also dismissed allegations linking him to the Rosicrucian brotherhood, stating he had no knowledge of such an organisation. “The only brotherhood I know is that of the inappropriate, a specific group undermining the state and institutions,” he said, referring to those who adopted Drousiotis’ claims.
He further accused Makarios Drousiotis of inaccuracies and contradictions in his books, arguing that the claims are collapsing and insisting he has already responded with documented evidence in his own publication.
Anastasiades said he believes the truth will emerge, adding that investigations by the anti-corruption authority will reveal the extent of what he described as false claims, despite the time and cost involved.