**Government Defends Mafia State Investigators Amid Conflict Claims**
The Cypriot government is standing by its selection of a criminal investigation team appointed to probe the findings of the controversial "Mafia State" report, following concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest. Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou asserted on Friday that there is "no issue of conflict of interest" related to the five investigators tasked with examining allegations stemming from the anti-corruption authority’s findings, which include possible criminal offenses involving former President Nicos Anastasiades and other public officials.
The cabinet announced the formation of the five-member investigative team on Thursday, which is led by Vassilios Skouris, a former president of the European Court of Justice. The team also includes criminal law professor Christos Mylonopoulos, former Family Court president Sotiris Liasides, lawyer Nikolas Koursaris, and criminal lawyer Dimitris Tsolakidis.
Antoniou emphasized that safeguards have been implemented to ensure the integrity of the investigation. He noted that Mylonopoulos had previously disclosed his involvement in matters related to the Focus case, which raised questions about his role in the inquiry. In response to these concerns, Skouris decided to exclude Mylonopoulos from any aspects of the investigation related to Focus, a move that Antoniou described as demonstrating "good faith and transparency."
Despite Mylonopoulos' exclusion from the Focus-related elements of the investigation, questions arose regarding why this potential conflict had not been addressed publicly at the time of the appointments. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that the cabinet was aware of the issue prior to finalizing the appointments and that Mylonopoulos' exclusion was part of the agreed arrangements.
The investigative team has been established to follow up on the findings of journalist Makarios Drousiotis' book, "Mafia State." The anti-corruption authority's investigation involved approximately 150 witnesses, around 200 hearings, and hundreds of exhibits, leading to significant public interest and scrutiny.
In light of the appointments, discussions have emerged within the legal community about the need for an independent prosecutor to oversee the investigation rather than relying solely on the legal service. Advocate Achilleas Demetriades expressed that appointing independent investigators is only "50 percent of the effort," advocating for an independent prosecutor to evaluate evidence and decide on potential criminal charges.
Demetriades also raised concerns about Mylonopoulos' continued involvement, questioning whether his partial exclusion sufficiently addressed issues of impartiality. Other legal experts echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the prosecutorial decisions should be made by an independent entity to bolster public confidence in the investigation's integrity.
The legal service's prosecutorial council is set to make decisions regarding the case following the recusal of Attorney-General George Savvides and Deputy Attorney-General Savvas Angelides from the matter. Antoniou responded to suggestions that political considerations might influence the inquiry, asserting that the responsibility for any future criminal prosecutions lies solely with the legal service. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that the investigation proceeds with full respect for the presumption of innocence, stating that "no one is above the law."
The government hopes that the investigative team will complete its work within the initial six-month mandate, although Antoniou acknowledged that extensions could be granted if justified. The investigators are expected to begin their review of the anti-corruption authority's report immediately, determining the direction and scope of the criminal investigation as they proceed.
As the inquiry unfolds, the government's handling of the investigation will likely continue to be scrutinized, particularly in light of the high-profile individuals involved and the serious allegations raised in the Mafia State report.