Legal expert Achilleas Emilianides said the decision to invite the FBI to Cyprus to assist in the investigation of the Santy case should raise serious questions, suggesting that an independent criminal investigator could instead be appointed to work with the Police and ensure there are no political interventions.
Speaking to CNA, Emilianides said the issue was raised during the election campaign and inevitably influences the ongoing political discussion.
He stressed that the investigation needs at least a swift preliminary conclusion on key issues, particularly regarding the authenticity of the alleged messages connected to the case.
Emilianides noted that the alleged relationship between “Santy” and a former judge is one matter, while separate allegations concern the possible existence of the Rosicrucian brotherhood operating as a criminal organisation.
“Where it concerns the alleged criminal organisation and whether the messages are authentic, it is important for there to be a quick conclusion,” he said.
He added that even if the messages prove to be inauthentic, the case would not necessarily end, as other issues could still require investigation in a second phase.
Justice System Facing Crisis Of Trust
Commenting on the broader implications of the case, Emilianides said the entire justice system in Cyprus is currently experiencing a major crisis of confidence.
“Courts, the Legal Service, lawyers and the Police are all facing a significant trust crisis,” he said, adding that serious efforts are needed to restore public confidence.
According to Emilianides, the way the Santy case emerged publicly and the way it has been handled have contributed to this erosion of trust, whether justified or not.
He also warned that the situation may have serious consequences for real victims of rape, abuse, exploitation and abuse of power.
“These victims are watching what is happening and are strongly discouraged from making future complaints,” he said.
If the allegations associated with “Santy”, which Emilianides noted were not made directly by her but by another person without her permission, are ultimately found to be untrue or largely inaccurate, the handling of the case could further discourage victims from coming forward.
“This is an equally serious negative consequence of the way the case has been made public and handled,” he said.
Concerns Over Foreign Investigative Authority
Emilianides also raised concerns about the involvement of a foreign investigative authority in an internal case in Cyprus.
He acknowledged that the FBI is a service with extensive investigative experience, and that the government may wish to demonstrate that there is no attempt at a cover-up.
However, he said the presence of a foreign investigative body operating within Cyprus raises legitimate questions.
“It is one thing to receive training from the FBI or Scotland Yard, and another to involve them directly, and to what extent, in an investigative process within Cyprus,” he said.
Emilianides also commented on the request to annul the search warrant at the home of Nicos Clerides, noting that such appeals to the Supreme Court are now a common legal procedure and not unusual.
Finally, he argued that the investigative process in the case is moving faster than most criminal investigations in Cyprus.
“I cannot say that there has been delay,” he said, adding that it appears “somewhat ironic” for people who claim to have held information for years without reporting it to now accuse others of reacting too slowly.
According to Emilianides, the biggest mistake in the handling of the case so far has been the way it became public, rather than any specific procedural error during the investigation.