**Title: Police File Over 100 Charges Against Journalist Makarios Drousiotis and ‘Sandy’**
Police have initiated a criminal case against journalist Makarios Drousiotis and a woman known publicly as ‘Sandy’, with both facing approximately 100 charges stemming from allegations of fabricating messages and making false claims against public figures. The case was formally filed in court on Friday, following directives from the legal service.
The charges arise from an investigation that began after Drousiotis published a social media post in which he named several individuals and made serious allegations related to corruption, rape, and other significant offenses. Local media reports indicate that both Drousiotis and Sandy have been served with indictments as part of this ongoing legal matter.
According to police findings released last month, investigators determined that both the allegations and the SMS messages cited in the case were fabricated using a mobile application. Police stated that the disputed material was provided to Drousiotis by Sandy, who, during questioning, reportedly admitted to creating the material herself.
The decision to prosecute follows a comprehensive police investigation that found no evidence to support the allegations made against the public officials and private individuals mentioned in the disputed material. Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis noted that the claims were unsupported by witness testimony, forensic evidence, or official records.
While the legal service concluded that no offenses had been committed by those accused in the allegations, the investigation has shifted focus to potential offenses related to “the creation, publication, and public dissemination” of the disputed material.
Drousiotis has consistently rejected the police findings, asserting that investigators predetermined the outcome of the inquiry. He has also claimed that the investigation was influenced by former President Nicos Anastasiades, who has denied the allegations made in Drousiotis’ book, "Mafia State," and has initiated legal proceedings against the journalist.
In response to the police conclusions, Drousiotis questioned how such detailed communications could have been fabricated by a single individual without specialized knowledge, further disputing the assertion that Sandy acted alone in creating the electronic messages.
It is important to note that the Sandy investigation remains separate from the anti-corruption authority’s inquiry into the allegations presented in "Mafia State." Harris Poyadjis, the chairman of the anti-corruption authority, has emphasized that developments in the Sandy case will not influence the authority’s examination of the allegations contained in Drousiotis’ book.
The situation continues to evolve, and the Cyprus Mail has reached out to both Makarios Drousiotis and his legal team for further comment. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these charges and the ongoing investigations are likely to attract significant public and media attention.
Further updates are expected as the case progresses through the judicial system.