The independent Anti-Corruption Authority is expected to release another report before the end of the week, possibly as early as tomorrow, implicating a state official in alleged abuse of power. According to Politis sources, the findings point to potential acts of corruption. Several public servants have reportedly been questioned, but the official’s name remains undisclosed and will be revealed once the Authority issues its formal statement.
As in the case of former EDEK leader and MP Marinos Sizopoulos, the Authority will issue a detailed public statement outlining its findings before forwarding the report to Attorney General George Savvides for further action. It will be up to Savvides to determine whether a criminal investigation should be launched based on the Authority’s conclusions.
For the past month, the Legal Service’s Criminal Law Division, headed by Prosecutor Elena Kleopa, has been reviewing the Authority’s report on Sizopoulos.
Next in Line
By the end of the year, the Anti-Corruption Authority is expected to reach decisions on four additional major cases involving current and former public officials as well as political parties. Investigations by appointed inspectors have been completed, and the cases are now in the drafting or review phase of their final reports.
Each case will be accompanied by a detailed public statement. Where evidence of disciplinary or criminal offences, such as corruption or abuse of power, is found, files will be referred to the Attorney General.
1. “The Land of Dreams” development in Trimiklini.
Former ministers, two ministries, one deputy ministry, and 16 government departments have been scrutinized over the large-scale “Land of Dreams” development in Trimiklini, which has operated without permits since 2012, according to an Audit Office report released on December 13, 2023. Violations include illegal fish farming, unauthorized use of state land, intervention in the Kouris River, and diversion of water to the site’s fishery facilities. Authorities also uncovered unlicensed restaurants and leisure and accommodation spaces.
The Authority launched its own investigation to determine whether the long-standing irregularities involved corrupt acts by state officials. The inquiry was led by former District Court President Nikos Yiapanas.
2. Party donations and “golden passports.”
Left AKEL MP Christos Christofides filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Authority in September 2022 linking “golden passport” investors to donations to the Democratic Rally (DISY). He questioned how nine foreign investors who received, or were about to receive, Cypriot citizenship donated between €20,000 and €50,000 each to the party, totaling €251,600. Right-wing DISY rejected the allegations, insisting that all donations were transparently declared on its official website.
The Authority appointed three inspectors, former judge Lemonia Kaountzani, lawyer Dimitris Tsolakidis, and economist Dimitris Georgiadis to investigate.
At the same time, a separate inquiry is concluding into AKEL following a complaint by DISY MP Dimitris Dimitriou, who requested an investigation into an OCCRP report alleging that Russian lobbying groups had financed European parties, including AKEL, to promote pro-Russian resolutions on Crimea. AKEL strongly denied the report and publicly invited full scrutiny.
A recent Audit Office report revealed that between 2016 and 2021, political parties received €650,000 in donations linked to “golden passport” investors, distributed as follows: DISY – €251,600, AKEL – €118,660, DIKO – €248,850, DIPA – €23,000, ELAM – €5,000, and EDEK – €3,000.
3. “Mafia State” and former President Nicos Anastasiades.
The Authority is expected to receive the third chapter of the “Mafia State” report in the coming days, part of a five-chapter investigation into allegations of corruption and systemic misconduct. Due to the volume of evidence, the report is being submitted in stages to allow the Authority’s five members to examine each section in detail. The process is expected to conclude by mid-autumn, with a comprehensive public announcement to follow.
The inquiry into former President Anastasiades was conducted by legal experts Gabrielle McIntyre (head investigator), Charilaos Chrysanthou, Orestis Nikitas, and Andreas Efthymiou. Testimonies were taken from 129 individuals from Cyprus and abroad, including President Christodoulides. More than 550 documents have been collected, comprising tens of thousands of pages.
€1 Million Budget for Investigations
According to the 2026 state budget submitted to Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Authority will receive €1 million to cover the remuneration of appointed investigators.
Politis has learned that the Authority has received over 500 complaints alleging corruption. Each case is first assessed by the Transparency Commissioner and the Authority’s members, who decide whether sufficient grounds exist for formal investigation. In cases involving serious allegations or high-level officials, the Authority may appoint investigators from abroad.
Independence Questioned in New Staffing Bill
At today’s session of Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, MPs will discuss a Justice Ministry bill stipulating that while the Authority will prepare a ranking list of candidates, final appointments will rest with the Public Service Commission, a body appointed by the President and influenced by party nominations.
In effect, the bill means the Christodoulides government and the Justice Ministry do not want the Anti-Corruption Authority to have full autonomy in hiring its own staff.
The bill will be debated alongside a proposal by DISY MP Demetris Demetriou to transform the Authority into a public-law entity, granting it the power to make its own staffing and administrative decisions.