**Attorney-General and Deputy Recuse Themselves from Mafia State Probe**
In a significant development regarding the ongoing investigation into potential abuses of power by former President Nicos Anastasiades, both Attorney-General George Savvides and his deputy, Savvas Angelides, announced their decision to recuse themselves from any further involvement. This announcement was made on Wednesday and comes in light of findings from a report conducted by the anti-corruption authority, which suggested that Anastasiades may be criminally liable.
Attorney-General Savvides explained that his decision was made to ensure objective impartiality in the handling of the case. He stated that he had reached out to the transparency commissioner, Harris Poyiadjis, to inquire whether the anti-corruption authority would be forwarding the full report, which is approximately 3,000 words long, to the legal service. Poyiadjis informed Savvides that the report would not be sent until next week.
Savvides emphasized the importance of maintaining impartiality given his personal relationship with Anastasiades. He expressed his intent to refrain from any evaluation or decision-making related to the findings of the report to uphold the integrity of the investigation.
Similarly, Deputy Attorney-General Angelides echoed these sentiments, stating that he too would abstain from any evaluations or decisions regarding the findings to ensure that the investigation remains objective and impartial.
In addition to the recusal of Savvides and Angelides, Elena Cleopa, the head of the criminal law section within the legal service, also announced her decision to abstain from the proceedings. Cleopa's recusal is due to her being summoned to testify by the anti-corruption authority as part of its ongoing investigation.
The decision by the Attorney-General and his deputy to step back from the investigation highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the case, particularly given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. As the investigation progresses, the anti-corruption authority is expected to continue its work independently, with the aim of ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of the allegations against Anastasiades.
Further updates on the investigation and any subsequent findings from the anti-corruption authority are anticipated in the coming weeks. The legal community and the public will be closely monitoring the developments as the case unfolds.