Andreas Chasapopoulos alleged on ALPHA TV’s “Enimerosi” that four of the eight people on stage with Odysseas Michaelides at the 19 May launch of the ALMA movement were “corrupt”, and that the former Auditor General “knew them” from Audit Office investigations. Chasapopoulos said he cannot support a movement “that includes corrupt people,” arguing that “the four I knew shouldn’t have been on the panel, they should be in prison.” He referenced a specific audit where “issues arose for a particular person who had squandered public funds.”
Chasapopoulos said he no longer has contact with Michaelides. “About a month before the announcement we were together almost daily looking for collaborators,” he noted, adding “I even found the building” that now houses ALMA’s offices. “When some people saw the light and came in, they pushed me out,” he claimed.
He was also asked about a post with insinuations about the show’s host that appeared in a supporters’ Facebook page for Michaelides, which Chasapopoulos administered. He said he told her he would try to delete it, “but the person behind the post didn’t agree, so I didn’t delete it.” Pressed on who that person was, he replied tersely, “those who understand, understand,” implying it was Michaelides.
Chasapopoulos further claimed that an agreement had been reached for Irene Charalambidou to run on ALMA’s candidate lists. Politis sought comment from ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides regarding Chasapopoulos’ statements and allegations, but received no response.
Background on the Facebook group
Chasapopoulos administers the Facebook page “Group for Combating Corruption,” formerly “Support Group of Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides.” The Supreme Constitutional Court’s decision removing Michaelides from the Auditor General post made specific reference to this page, noting that among its members were the Auditor General’s son and sister and that it hosted, on a daily basis, threatening, abusive and false comments and inaccuracies.