The investigative team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters continues to take statements from individuals whose names appear in messages or audio files linked to the ‘Sandy’ case, with the aim of cross-checking and assessing the accuracy of their contents. Investigators will also take statements from anyone implicated in any aspect of the claims made by Makarios Drousiotis.
So far, statements given to investigators show a consistent pattern: all individuals questioned deny any involvement in the matters for which their names were mentioned. This applies to political figures and former judges alike. Former president Nicos Anastasiades, former AKEL general secretary Andros Kyprianou and independent MP Costis Efstathiou have all publicly rejected the claims contained in Drousiotis’ posts.
Speaking to ANT1 on Monday, Kyprianou said the statement he gave to police did not address the substance of the allegations, but rather a message claiming that Myron Nicolatos, former president of the Supreme Court, had proposed Giorgos Savvides for the post of attorney general, and that he had allegedly asked Anastasiades to do him a favour by appointing Savvides. Kyprianou said that at the time referenced in the message, in 2020, he was in intense political confrontation with Anastasiades, stressing that “it is at the very least absurd to claim that he did me a favour and appointed Mr Savvides”.
MP Costis Efstathiou struck a similar tone, saying investigators questioned him about “five or six silly messages circulating online”. “They are not mentioned by Makarios Drousiotis and are not included in what is being called the ‘Sandy’ scandal,” he said. According to Efstathiou, the messages were sent to him by a friend. “At first I thought it was a joke and laughed as well. He then told me that these messages were written by you. It is obvious they have circulated widely in Cyprus, so the police called me and I explained,” he said.
Asked to whom he allegedly sent the messages, Efstathiou replied: “Supposedly to a Michalis. From my phone, which supposedly appears as being on Epic, even though I am a Cyta subscriber.”
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Costas Fytiris, speaking to the public broadcaster, CyBC, commented on claims of a cover-up in the ‘Sandy’ case. He said the findings would offer “a 360-degree view”, examining both the authenticity and the content of the messages. The minister noted that the most difficult aspect was not the case itself but the prevailing public perception of institutional mistrust. Fytiris added that authorities would also examine what institutional provisions apply regarding the possible publication of the findings.
Awaiting developments
As for the report from Europol’s forensic laboratory, police have yet to be informed whether analysis of the electronic devices sent for examination has been completed. Authorities are also awaiting the arrival of the specialised FBI team to Cyprus to assist the investigation by assessing the statements already taken.