Attorney General cannot handle ‘Mafia State’ case due to conflict, lawyer says

Local corruptionCrimemakarios drousiotispresident anastasiadesTop News Attorney General cannot handle ‘Mafia State’ case due to conflict, lawyer says Attorney General Cannot Handle 'mafia State' Case Due To Conflict, Lawyer Says Relevant News Attorney General cannot handle ‘Mafia State’ case due to conflict, lawyer says 16 June 2026 The last gift of Irvin Yalom? 16 June 2026 Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, June 16 16 June 2026 Newsroom 16 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Leto Kariolou, the lawyer representing journalist Makarios Drousiotis, described the Independent Authority Against Corruption’s detailed announcement of its findings into the investigation behind the book “Mafia State” as a historic development. She said the case must not be left in the hands of those with a conflict of interest, raising pointed criticism of Attorney General George Savvides and Deputy Attorney General Savvas Angelides. The Authority published its findings on Tuesday, almost four years after Drousiotis’s book first made allegations of systemic corruption against former president Nicos Anastasiades and senior officials. It found reasonable suspicion that Anastasiades committed seven potential corruption-related offences, including one felony count of abuse of power, following a two-year investigation. The investigation was launched as a self-initiated probe in late 2022, after both presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis and Anastasiades himself separately asked the Authority to look into the allegations. Four appointed inspecting officers, led by Australian international law specialist Gabrielle McIntyre alongside Cypriot lawyers Harilaos Chrysanthou, Orestis Nikitas and Andreas Efthymiou, heard testimony from around 150 witnesses across 200 sessions, including Anastasiades and Drousiotis themselves, before submitting a final report running to nearly 3,000 pages. The Authority stressed that its findings rest on the civil standard of balance of probabilities rather than the criminal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt, and reiterated that the presumption of innocence applies to everyone named, with only the courts empowered to determine guilt. Speaking on Alpha TV’s news programme, Kariolou said the Authority’s findings represent a significant vindication of the journalist and researcher’s years-long struggle. She said Drousiotis “has been a target for years through the writing of his trilogy and of ‘Mafia State’. Attempts were made for a long time to play this down because of the political influence wielded by Nicos Anastasiades.” Kariolou said the Authority’s findings document a series of potential criminal offences, describing them as “activities that involve, beyond Nicos Anastasiades, individuals who held positions of institutional responsibility.” She added that the need for an independent criminal investigation into the case is becoming more pressing, since a recommendation has also been made regarding a potential offence in relation to the separate Focus case. “The Attorney General had at the time acted as Mr Christodoulou’s lawyer. Serious questions arise as to why no appeal was filed in that case. Both the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General were appointed as ministers by Nicos Anastasiades. It is not conceivable for the assessment of these actions to remain in the hands of people who have a conflict of interest,” she said. Kariolou added that they are now awaiting a response from the Government, saying the findings must not be met with inaction. “Assurance is needed regarding the independence of those who will take the case forward,” she said, adding that it “must not be left in the hands of anyone with a conflict of interest.” Asked whether she had spoken to Drousiotis, his lawyer said he was satisfied with the findings, which clarified the terms of the Authority’s mandate. She said the matter is now an institutional one. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News The last gift of Irvin Yalom? Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, June 16 Fête de la Musique Limassol celebrates World Music Day this June Hourly-paid government workers strike over collective agreement delays Cyprus corruption probe: what happens next after Mafia State findings Mafia State corruption report: who is accused and what the allegations are Education Ministry guide: school violence offenders need support too Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.