Within the next two months, the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority is expected to issue decisions on six major cases concerning current and former state officials. Investigations have been completed by appointed inspectors and the cases are now at the stage of drafting reports.
For each case, the Authority will issue detailed announcements. Where disciplinary or criminal offences such as abuse of power or corruption are established, cases will be referred to the Attorney-General for further action.
Four of the cases have already attracted significant public attention, with dozens of officials, civil servants, businesspeople and journalists summoned to give evidence, drawing media scrutiny. For the remaining two, details remain undisclosed, though investigations have been finalised and official announcements are expected soon.
1. Former EDEK President Marinos Sizopoulos
The first case, on which a public statement is expected in September, concerns a complaint against MP and former EDEK president Marinos Sizopoulos.
The investigation was conducted by former judge Sotiris Liasis and lawyer Nikolas Charalambous, following a complaint by ex-EDEK MP George Varnavas. He accused Mr Sizopoulos of involvement in securing a “golden” passport through false representations.
Mr Sizopoulos has rejected the allegations, reminding in public statements that he himself had reported the case to the Police Criminal Investigation Department.
According to Mr Varnavas’ letter of complaint, published on 6 November 2023, Sizopoulos’ company Taxan Properties had a non-performing loan of €2.58 million, restructured with a write-off of €956,000. He alleges that Sizopoulos and partners sold the company for €1.6 million to a “supposed Iraqi investor” so he could acquire a Cypriot passport through the investment programme.
Mr Varnavas claims the investor obtained citizenship under false pretences, submitting a second, falsified contract to the Finance Ministry declaring the investment as €2.025 million instead of €1.6 million.
2. “The Land of Dreams” Development, Trimiklini
Former ministers, two ministries, a deputy ministry and 16 services and departments were investigated in connection with the large-scale “The Land of Dreams” development in Trimiklini.
According to an Auditor-General’s report of December 2023, the development had been operating since 2012 without permits. Violations included illegal fish farming, unlawful interventions on state land, diversion of the Kouris River, and unlicensed restaurants and visitor facilities.
The revelations triggered an ex officio investigation by the Anti-Corruption Authority to establish whether the long-standing violations point to corruption by state officials. The case is being investigated by former District Court President Nikos Giapanas.
3. Party Donations and “Golden Passports”
AKEL MP Christos Christofides filed a complaint in September 2022 alleging links between the granting of golden passports and donations to DISY. He questioned how nine foreign investors donated between €20,000 and €50,000 to the party before or immediately after securing passports, with contributions totalling €251,600.
DISY denied wrongdoing, insisting all donations were published on its official website with full transparency.
The investigation is being handled by three inspectors, former judge Lemonia Kaountzani, lawyer Demetris Tsolakidis and economist Demieris Georgiadis.
Meanwhile, DISY MP Demetris Demetriou submitted a counter-complaint in March 2023, citing an OCCRP report alleging Russian lobbying funds were channelled to parties across Europe, including AKEL, to promote pro-Russian resolutions on Crimea. AKEL strongly denied the report but said it welcomed a full investigation.
In addition, a recent Audit Office report found €650,000 in donations linked to passport holders, distributed as follows: DISY - €251,600, AKEL - €118,660, DIKO - €248,850, DIPA - €23,000, ELAM - €5,000 and EDEK - €3,000.
The Authority has reportedly requested the full donor lists from the Auditor-General to examine whether the donations involved quid pro quo arrangements.
4. “Mafia State” and Former President Nicos Anastasiades
The Authority is also preparing to receive the third instalment of its report into the “Mafia State” case, based on journalist Makarios Drousiotis’ book alleging corruption by former President Nicos Anastasiades.
The final report will consist of five chapters, delivered in stages due to the huge volume of evidence. The Authority expects to complete its review by mid-autumn, with a detailed public announcement to follow.
The investigation team; Gabrielle McIntyre (lead), Harilaos Chrysanthou, Orestis Nikitas and Andreas Efthymiou, examined testimony from 129 individuals in Cyprus and abroad, including President Christodoulides. More than 550 pieces of evidence have been collected, amounting to tens of thousands of pages of documents.