Anti-corruption report: How judge Solomonides seems to be linked to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev

Local corruptionCrimeIndependent Authority against CorruptionjusticeTop News Anti-corruption report: How judge Solomonides seems to be linked to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev Convicted Kidnapper Punches Prosecutor In Court Seconds After Being Sentenced Relevant News Trump’s Iran war weighs on G7 economies, but don’t expect hard talk in France 17 June 2026 Anti-corruption report: How judge Solomonides seems to be linked to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev 17 June 2026 Anti-corruption report recommends prosecution of former minister over state land allocation 17 June 2026 Petros Afxentiou 17 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A detailed report by Cyprus’ Independent Authority Against Corruption recommends criminal prosecution in connection with allegations of judicial interference, state land allocation irregularities, and possible corrupt practices involving public officials, a former judge, and private legal entities. The most prominent case examined in the report concerns allegations of interference in judicial proceedings involving former president of the Nicosia District Court, Charis Solomonides, in a high-profile dispute linked to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev and his estranged wife, Elena Rybolovleva. The case relates to divorce proceedings initiated in Geneva, in which Rybolovleva reportedly claimed $4.5bn, representing half of the couple’s accumulated wealth. The report cites claims made by author Makarios Drousiotis in his book State Mafia, alleging that Rybolovlev sought to shield his assets through legal mechanisms and that a coordinated effort was made to influence judicial outcomes in Cyprus in proceedings involving trust structures connected to his wealth. According to the findings, multiple court applications were filed in Cyprus in October 2013 by trust companies acting as trustees of structures linked to Rybolovlev’s assets, seeking interim injunctions restricting Rybolovleva from initiating legal proceedings outside Cyprus in relation to the trusts. The applications were heard ex parte by Judge Charis Solomonides, who issued interim orders preventing Rybolovleva and her legal representatives from pursuing legal action in foreign jurisdictions, with the restrictions remaining in force until further court direction or final adjudication. A further similar application was filed days later under another trust structure, resulting in a second interim order with identical effect. The report notes that both trust companies involved shared the same board of directors, composed of members of a law firm, Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC, which represented the applicants in the proceedings. It further records that Rybolovleva’s lawyers later applied for the judge’s recusal in 2014, citing alleged bias linked to the employment of the judge’s wife at a company connected to the same law firm involved in the cases. The judge rejected the recusal request, stating that his wife was employed by a separate company and that case allocation followed standard court procedures. That decision was later appealed. However, the inspection officers found that the judge’s statement regarding his wife’s employer was not accurate, concluding that she was employed by the law firm itself rather than the separate entity cited in his ruling. They also found that her employment began shortly after the issuance of the contested interim orders and that she was previously unemployed at the time the cases were filed. According to the report, the judge failed to disclose this employment connection, despite its relevance to the recusal proceedings. The inspection officers further concluded that there were indications that relevant parties involved in the proceedings did not fully disclose the employment relationship, raising concerns over transparency during the litigation process. In 2015, a district court judge later annulled one of the earlier decisions, citing procedural irregularities. The matter was subsequently referred to the Supreme Court following a complaint by Rybolovleva’s legal team alleging possible corruption and improper conduct. The Supreme Court initially decided not to initiate disciplinary proceedings while related appeals were pending. After the appeals were withdrawn, it concluded that disciplinary action could not proceed as the judge had already retired, advising the complainants to contact the Attorney General instead. The report’s inspection officers conclude that there is sufficient indication, on the balance of probabilities, that the judge may have abused his position by engaging in improper arrangements involving the employment of his spouse in connection with cases he adjudicated, in exchange for favourable judicial outcomes for clients represented by the law firm involved. The report also lists potential criminal offences under Cypriot law and Council of Europe anti-corruption conventions, including bribery of public officials, corrupt dealings through intermediaries, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Those implicated include the former judge, the law firm Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC, and a senior partner of the firm. 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