The findings of the investigation into the claims made by Makarios Drousiotis regarding the so called ‘Sandy’ case were made public yesterday by the Chief of Police, Themistos Arnaoutis. At the same time, in various circles there is an assessment that significant questions regarding the case remain unanswered.
The Chief of Police, presenting the investigation into the ‘Sandy’ case, stated that, following the completion of the inquiry and the evaluation of all evidential material by the Police and the Legal Service of the Republic, the conclusion is clear: “No evidence has emerged to substantiate the alleged serious offences that were publicly presented against the persons named or implicated in these claims. On the contrary, the investigation showed that the content of the fourteen page document, the disputed messages, the audio excerpts and the broader narrative that was presented were false and fabricated. This conclusion is not based on assumptions or estimates. It is based on testimonies given before investigators, technical and forensic findings, independent evidence and objective data collected during the investigation,” he stressed.
However, from the Police presentation and the Chief’s responses to journalists’ questions, several key questions remained unanswered, although the investigative team considers that they do not affect the final outcome.
- How is the investigation considered complete without the main piece of evidence, the mobile phone of 'Sandy' during the relevant period?
- Was the motive of the main individual identified, given that she admitted to creating the messages using an application?
- The data on telecommunications records covers only the last six months. The alleged communications took place during 2019 to 2020, therefore the Police did not have access to those records.
Fabricated messages
In the context of the briefing, the Chief of Police stated that the investigation revealed clear admissions regarding the creation of false narratives and fabricated messages. “An application was used which allowed the creation of virtual messages and communications, with the ability to determine the sender’s name, content and time of sending, so that they appeared real. Forensic examinations carried out on the devices linked to the case demonstrated the non existence of the communications presented as genuine. No data was identified to support the content of the alleged conversations,” Mr Arnaoutis said.
Instructions for criminal investigation
Following the findings, the Legal Service instructed the Police to initiate a criminal investigation against specific individuals. They will be investigated for the offences of creating, publishing and disseminating false information. At least three persons are in the scope of the criminal investigation and have already been informed by the investigative team at Police Headquarters to present themselves for questioning.
According to Chapter 154 of the Criminal Code, “any person who in any manner publishes in any form false news or information likely to disturb public order or undermine public confidence in the state or its authorities or to cause fear or concern among the public or to harm public peace and order is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred pounds or to both such penalties. Provided that it shall be a defence for the accused if he proves in a manner satisfactory to the court that the publication was made in good faith and was based on facts justifying such publication.”
Will charges be filed?
Since the Police announced that the outcome of the investigation into the claims of Makarios Drousiotis is that the allegations do not stand, and therefore, according to the Police, everything is false, announcements are expected soon on whether any individuals will be charged in relation to the above offences.
One issue being widely discussed since yesterday, following the press conference of Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, is why the criminal investigation into the dissemination of false information was not also completed before announcing the overall findings. Mr Arnaoutis himself responded to this question, stating that a few days ago the Legal Service issued instructions to initiate a criminal investigation, a process that requires time to be completed.
The claims
The Police spokesperson, Vyronas Vyronas, presented slides outlining the claims that were refuted and the manner in which the police investigation was conducted. He also explained how the photographs and screenshots that circulated were fabricated, and pointed out the obvious errors and contradictions they contained.
Regarding the involvement of Europol and the FBI, the Chief of Police stated that the report from Europol’s forensic laboratory was in line with the Police findings and that the FBI carried out specific actions that had already been initiated by the investigative team at Police Headquarters.
Reaction of Drousiotis
Approximately one and a half hours after the conclusion of the Police Chief’s press conference, the first reaction from Makarios Drousiotis followed, in which he announced forthcoming statements after the publication of the findings regarding the Mafia State. His post in full:
“We will speak after the announcements on the Mafia State, that’s what worries them… I heard the Police announcements. In the end neither Europol nor the FBI helped, but the messages are all ‘forged’ and the information is false. The Police announcements were aligned with what had been leaked to the press from the first day the investigation started, and the conclusion is identical to what Anastasiades had already announced, who continues to control the system.
So, a woman, without specialised knowledge, claimed that she created with an application hundreds of SMS, Viber and Signal messages, with names, telephone numbers and events with details she was not in a position to know. The Chief of Police informed the public, in a live televised appearance, that this is the truth and… they lived happily ever after and we better.
Mr Arnaoutis saw no connection with Focus and the Mafia State, did not even know that the report had already been submitted and only yesterday… learned that the conclusions will be announced next week. However, he rushed to complete the Police investigation, without even waiting for the report, lest the scenario collapse. When the conclusions of the Mafia State report are announced, I hope he will see clearly. We will speak then.”
