The Anti-Corruption Authority has begun informing those involved in the “Mafia State” case through electronic messages.
The Authority recently contacted former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, informing him of the findings of its investigation into the allegations contained in Makarios Drousiotis’s book Mafia State.
Reports appear to be confirmed that the findings refer to possible criminal liability involving former state officials.
The Authority’s announcement is expected to be made public at 11:00 this morning.
Nicos Anastasiades is expected to issue a written statement following the publication of the report and, in the coming days, to hold a press conference.
'Gentlemen, You Are Suspected of Corruption'
Former President Nicos Anastasiades, the main subject of the investigation, was treated differently from the others. Harris Poyiadjis, the Authority's Transparency Commissioner, briefed him on the findings in person rather than by email.
Reports suggesting the Authority's conclusions point to possible criminal liability on the part of some former officials appear to be confirmed.
Mafia State (Kratos Mafia), first published in late 2022, portrays Cyprus as a systemically corrupt state and accuses Anastasiades and other senior officials of wide-ranging wrongdoing. Anastasiades has categorically denied the allegations and is pursuing a defamation case against Drousiotis. The inquiry that followed ran for roughly two years. Investigators held around 200 hearings, heard testimony from some 150 people, and received 793 pieces of evidence, producing a dossier said to run to about 3,000 pages.
Should the findings point to criminal offences, the report will go to Attorney-General Giorgos Savvides, who would then decide whether to prosecute. Savvides and his deputy, Savvas Angelides, were both appointed by Anastasiades, a fact that has already prompted questions over whether either should be involved in any resulting criminal investigation.
