Political parties traded sharp criticism on Tuesday after former Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades dismissed allegations linked to a report on claims in the book Mafia State, while analysts warned the escalating dispute could further strain public trust in institutions.
Left-wing party AKEL launched a strong attack on the former president, questioning his credibility and calling for a full investigation into the findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority.
“Everyone is lying except Mr Anastasiades,” AKEL said in a statement, adding that he had “spent nearly an hour trying to convince the public that all others are lying except himself”.
The party said Anastasiades had rejected not only the authority’s findings but also international journalistic investigations and media reports that, in its view, pointed to systemic corruption during his presidency.
AKEL also renewed its demand for what it described as a “clean-up”, calling for an “impartial and independent investigation” and the referral of suspects to justice. It said this process required the immediate resignation of Attorney General Giorgos Savvides and his deputy Savvas Angelides to restore confidence in the rule of law.
Political hypocrisy
The Democratic Rally (DISY), Anastasiades’ former party, defended the need for a thorough investigation but rejected AKEL’s criticism, accusing it of political hypocrisy.
DISY reiterated its call for the Cabinet to appoint independent criminal investigators without delay and with a clear timetable, stressing that there should be “no cover-up for anyone”.
“We respect institutions, the rule of law and the right of every citizen to defend themselves,” the party said, while criticising AKEL for what it described as a history of disregarding findings and court decisions when politically convenient.
Accountability wanted
Centrist group Alma – Citizens for Cyprus also criticised the former president, accusing him of attempting to discredit the Anti-Corruption Authority while portraying himself as blameless.
In a statement, the movement said Anastasiades had gone beyond defending himself and had instead attacked independent institutions whenever their findings challenged his record in office.
“Society is not asking for people’s courts. It is asking for accountability,” the group said, arguing that any investigation must be independent of the current legal service and political leadership to ensure credibility.
The movement said it had submitted legislative proposals to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Authority, including powers to appoint independent criminal investigators, and called for constitutional changes to limit the powers of the attorney general.
It added that the responsibility for next steps lies with the current government, noting that the report is already before the Cabinet.
Legal analysis
Legal experts said the developments place the issue across legal and political arenas, and stressed the importance of clear procedures going forward.
Lawyer Achilleas Demetriades told Alpha television that Anastasiades’ rejection of the findings shifts the debate onto three levels: criminal, civil and political.
He described as significant the former president’s call for the appointment of independent investigators and prosecutors, noting his stated willingness to waive any immunity if required. Demetriades said the next move now rests with the Cabinet.
He added that civil proceedings are already under way between Anastasiades and the book’s author, journalist Makarios Drousiotis, and that courts will ultimately rule on those disputes.
However, Demetriades warned that the ongoing political confrontation may not contribute to restoring public trust, calling for a clear roadmap and timeline for handling the case.
Lawyer Simos Angelides expressed concern that continued public exchanges could fuel what he termed a “people’s court” atmosphere, potentially affecting future proceedings.
He said extensive publicity risks influencing witnesses in any inquiry, recalling past cases where media exposure complicated judicial processes.
Angelides added that the central issue for society is whether wrongdoing or irregularities occurred during Anastasiades’ presidency, and said this should be the focus of the terms of reference for any criminal investigation.
The former president on Tuesday rejected wrongdoing and called for a swift, independent probe, arguing that allegations against him were unfounded and that he had not been given the chance to respond during the investigation.
The government has yet to announce whether it will proceed with appointing independent investigators.
Source: CNA, Alpha TV
