**Former Mokas Chief Denies Allegations from Mafia State Report**
Eva Rossidou-Papakyriakou, the former head of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Combating Unit (Mokas) in Cyprus, has publicly refuted allegations made against her in a recent report by the anti-corruption authority. The report, which has been referred to as the "Mafia State" report, suggests that Rossidou-Papakyriakou may face criminal charges for abuse of power and neglect of official duty.
The report claims that Rossidou-Papakyriakou conducted a superficial investigation into allegations against former President Nicos Anastasiades, which were raised by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). It asserts that under her leadership, Mokas failed to pursue a thorough investigation, merely accepting explanations from Anastasiades without seeking independent verification, despite the existence of evidence that warranted further inquiry. Furthermore, it alleges that Mokas only acted after Anastasiades publicly called for an investigation, implying that he exerted "institutional pressure" on the unit.
In response to these allegations, Rossidou-Papakyriakou stated that the claims do not reflect reality. She emphasized that Mokas initiated its investigation independently and that it was carried out by a specialized team comprising investigators, accountants, and lawyers. This team conducted investigative actions both within Cyprus and internationally. Rossidou-Papakyriakou maintained that decisions regarding the analysis of suspicious transactions were made collectively, rather than unilaterally, due to the complexity of the cases involved.
Rossidou-Papakyriakou also criticized the anti-corruption authority’s investigation process, noting that she had been summoned to testify twice but was not questioned about the specific case at hand. She expressed concern that the authority rushed to assign personal responsibility to her without adequately exploring the matter during her testimonies. "This should have been done before they ended up imputing personal responsibility to me, and even implying that we acted to serve [Anastasiades]," she remarked.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Rossidou-Papakyriakou stated that she is not worried about the potential outcomes of any further investigations. She expressed confidence that any additional scrutiny would reveal the true facts and highlight what she considers to be the anti-corruption authority's flawed analysis and conclusions. However, she conveyed her disappointment regarding the report's findings and labeled the accusations against her as "unfounded and unfair."
The controversy surrounding the Mokas unit and its former chief comes at a time when Cyprus is grappling with broader concerns about corruption and governance. The implications of the Mafia State report could have significant ramifications for public trust in the country's institutions, as well as for the individuals involved.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the anti-corruption authority will respond to Rossidou-Papakyriakou's denials and whether further investigations will take place. The outcome may influence the ongoing discourse about accountability and transparency in Cyprus's fight against corruption.