The government spokesman said he is not aware of the contents of “Sandy’s” statement to the police and should not be, responding to questions on the well-known case during Thursday’s media briefing.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the executive neither knows nor should know the content of such investigations, he said.
On the Anti-Corruption Authority’s findings regarding the “Mafia State” and whether they will be submitted to the government, the spokesperson stressed the body’s independence.
“I neither have, nor should I have, any briefing on the progress or completion of this investigation,” he said.
He added that the government supports the Authority and its independent role, and that all procedures will be followed. The government will be informed of the outcome once it is published.
The black van
Asked about a request by an AKEL MEP to reopen the “black van” case, and whether the President has responded to a 2 April letter from AKEL’s Secretary-General, Letymbiotis urged restraint.
“I understand the period we are going through - and I am certain that in the coming weeks we will see heightened rhetoric - but our public interventions must be marked by consistency,” he said.
He added that political forces cannot call for respect for institutional independence while failing to uphold it.
The government’s position is clear, he added: any evidence of procedural violations must be referred to the appropriate bodies so that necessary action can be taken.
Commenting on a report by Makarios Drousiotis on foreclosures, Letymbiotis reiterated that any evidence, complaints or allegations should be submitted to the competent institutions, regardless of who is implicated.
Aykut
On reports linking an Israeli company involved in the “videogate” case to the deportation of Simon Aykut, the spokesperson said he was informed through media reports that audio-visual material had been provided. The case, he noted, is under investigation by an independent criminal investigator.
Letymbiotis said the completion of Aykut’s sentence in Israel had been decided well in advance, based on international agreements between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel, as well as other states.
He also referred to Israel’s earlier announcement regarding a conviction for attempted usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied areas.
“Under no circumstances could there have been any transaction - we categorically reject this,” he said.