Journalists’ union alarmed by three criminal cases against Drousiotis

Local corruptionlaw officemakarios drousiotispress freedomTop News Journalists’ union alarmed by three criminal cases against Drousiotis Journalists' Union Alarmed By Three Cases Against Drousiotis Relevant News Journalists’ union alarmed by three criminal cases against Drousiotis 12 August 2026 Freedom Holding Corp. reports 40% revenue growth in Q1 FY2027 12 August 2026 Columbia lawsuit alleges biased disciplinary hearings against Palestinians 12 August 2026 Newsroom 12 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Union of Cyprus Journalists has asked whether suspicions that the authorities are targeting author and journalist Makarios Drousiotis are reasonable or unreasonable, after three separate criminal cases were brought against the journalist within a matter of days. Drousiotis is under criminal investigation in three cases and faces three different charges, the union said: spreading false news, breach of personal data, and conducting an illegal fundraiser. The investigative journalist previously issued an appeal for financial help from the public to fund a major legal battle, saying he was now also facing a criminal investigation over a possible violation of personal data linked to his book “Mafia State,” in addition to the 80 charges he already faces in the “Sandy” case. Following his appeal for financial help, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou instructed police to look into the online fundraising campaign for Makarios Drousiotis, saying that under the legislation governing fundraisers, such an action is illegal when the prescribed procedure is not followed. “Mafia State” is a book directed at former President Nicos Anastasiades. Its allegations centre on events said to have followed the divorce proceedings of a Russian oligarch, and claim corruption by the then-president. The Independent Authority Against Corruption spent two years investigating the allegations in the book. Its report was published on June 17, 2026. The Authority concluded that there was reasonable suspicion that Anastasiades committed seven potential corruption-related offences, including one felony count of abuse of power over Focus Maritime, plus three counts of trading in influence and three misdemeanour abuse of power counts. Additionally to the personal data breach investigation against Drousiotis, criminal charges were filed against him and “Sandy” at court in July, in a case reported to involve around 100 counts. Drousiotis said at the time that the indictment accused him of dolus and of knowingly publishing forged messages, and he described the case as a diversion from the “Videogate” affair and a helping hand to former President Nicos Anastasiades. The Law Office has not responded publicly to those claims. The “Sandy” affair began with publications by Drousiotis alleging corruption and sexual misconduct by public figures, based on messages he said had been exchanged with a woman referred to as “Sandy”. Those named in the allegations have denied wrongdoing. Union statement Cypriot justice cannot “strain at a gnat and swallow a camel”, the union said. It cannot show unforgivable negligence and slowness in one place and excessive haste and speed in another, and it has a duty to guarantee equality before the law. The union set out its position in a statement from its board. In a well-governed state no citizen is above the law, it said, but the system that administers justice is not above criticism either. A citizen who breaks the law is prosecuted, and justice that operates unevenly is judged. Why the union stayed silent the first time When criminal charges were brought against Drousiotis over the “Sandy” case, the board examined the matter thoroughly but concluded that any public statement would be taken as interference in the work of the courts, the union said. It did not comment, and drew heavy criticism for that. Within days Drousiotis faced a second criminal case, this time over his book “Mafia State”, the union said, and immediately afterwards a criminal investigation opened into a third. The board is following the whole development with intense concern and is asking the question alongside the rest of Cypriot society, it said. When a journalist is prosecuted, the risks to freedom of expression are visible, tangible and predictable, the union said. It will follow the outcome closely and return to the matter whenever it considers it necessary. 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