**Legal Service Finds No Wrongdoing in Drousiotis Crowdfunding Appeal**
The legal service in Cyprus has determined that there was no wrongdoing in the crowdfunding campaign launched by journalist Makarios Drousiotis to finance his legal defense. This conclusion comes after the matter was referred to police by the fundraising licensing authority, which raised concerns regarding the legality of the financial support Drousiotis received.
Following media reports about Drousiotis' appeal for public donations, the interior ministry forwarded the concerns from the fundraising authority to the police. The police then sought a formal opinion from the legal service to ascertain whether any criminal offenses had occurred in relation to the crowdfunding efforts.
According to reports from the news outlet Reporter, the legal service's opinion confirmed that the funds raised for Drousiotis do not violate existing laws, and therefore, no criminal offenses were identified that would necessitate further investigation. As a result, the case has been deemed closed.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou addressed the situation in a social media post, clarifying that the ministry's actions were not intended to target Drousiotis personally. He emphasized that the ministry only acted upon discovering the crowdfunding campaign. "If the investigation reveals that it does not fall within the provisions of the specific legislation, no one will be prosecuted or charged," he stated, highlighting the importance of adhering to legal frameworks.
Drousiotis initiated the crowdfunding campaign to cover his legal expenses stemming from ongoing criminal proceedings related to the 'Sandy' case, as well as separate allegations involving personal data offenses linked to the Mafia State affair. His campaign has reportedly raised over €50,000 within just 36 hours, demonstrating significant public support.
The journalist has assured his supporters that the funds will be utilized solely for the intended legal purposes and that an approved firm will conduct an audit of the financial contributions. He has committed to making the resulting audit report public, further ensuring transparency in the use of the funds.
This development marks a significant moment for Drousiotis, who has faced scrutiny over his legal battles. The confirmation from the legal service alleviates concerns regarding the legality of his fundraising efforts, allowing him to focus on his defense without the added pressure of potential legal repercussions from the crowdfunding initiative.