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These are the five investigators appointed for the Mafia State probe

In-Cyprus · 2026-07-02

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The Cabinet of Cyprus appointed a five-member team of independent criminal investigators to examine the findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority's report on the "Mafia State" case. • Why it matters: This investigation aims to ensure a thorough, objective, and impartial review of serious allegations involving high-profile figures, including former President Nicos Anastasiades, which could have significant implications for governance and public trust in institutions. • What to watch next: The investigators have a six-month term to complete their work, with the potential for extension, and their findings could lead to further legal actions or reforms based on the report's conclusions.

Local corruptionCrimeIndependent Authority against CorruptionTop News These are the five investigators appointed for the Mafia State probe These Are The Five Investigators Appointed For The Mafia State Probe Relevant News These are the five investigators appointed for the Mafia State probe 2 July 2026 The Finlandisation of Cyprus is not an option 2 July 2026 Europeans to fill almost all gaps left by US in NATO defence plans, source says 2 July 2026 Newsroom 2 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Cabinet has appointed a five-member team of independent criminal investigators to examine the findings of the Independent Authority against Corruption’s report into the “Mafia State” case. The team consists of: Vasilios Skouris, Professor Emeritus of Public Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and former President of the Court of Justice of the European Union, who will head the team; Christos Mylonopoulos, Professor Emeritus of Criminal Law at the University of Athens; Sotiris Liasides, a former judge; Nikolas Koursaris, a lawyer specialising in criminal proceedings and Vice-President of a committee of the Nicosia Bar Association; Dimitris Tsolakides, a criminal law lawyer and member of the Criminal Justice Committee and the Criminal Law Sub-Committee of the Cyprus Bar Association. The decision was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides, and is based on the provisions of Article 4(2) of the Criminal Procedure Law. The criminal investigators have been asked to examine the findings recorded in the Anti-Corruption Authority’s report, acting within the powers provided for under the legislation. Their term has been set at six months, with the possibility of extension following a reasoned request to the Cabinet. The Cabinet also approved the provision of secretarial support and appropriately equipped office space, to allow the team to complete its work without hindrance. Speaking after the meeting, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the appointment of the independent criminal investigators was intended to ensure a full, objective and impartial investigation of the findings, with respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, the independence of institutions and the presumption of innocence. Background The “Mafia State” report is a two-year investigation by Cyprus’s Anti-Corruption Authority into allegations originally raised in journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis’s book of the same name. The Authority published its findings on June 16. The book’s allegations centred on events surrounding the divorce proceedings of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, and the report’s scope reportedly ran to around 214 sessions, 150 witnesses, roughly 3,000 pages of material and hundreds of exhibits. Who is namedThe name appearing most frequently throughout the report is former President Nicos Anastasiades, who is linked to seven separate cases examined by the Authority, ranging from the arrest of Elena Rybolovleva and the “Focus” case, to the granting of Archbishopric land, the Pandora Papers, and the citizenship-by-investment scheme. The report records allegations of possible criminal offences relating to abuse of power and influence peddling — these remain allegations attributed to the Authority’s inspectors, not established findings of guilt. Other officials named in connection with various strands of the report include Eva Rossidou-Papakyriacou, former head of MOKAS, and Haris Solomonides, former Nicosia District Court president. Read more: These are the seven corruption cases Anastasiades faces Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News The Finlandisation of Cyprus is not an option Europeans to fill almost all gaps left by US in NATO defence plans, source says The world’s oceans are the hottest on record for June – and El Niño is set to turn up the heat even more Psychologist urges regular police evaluations after Limassol wife shooting HIO fines three doctors €11,500 over GHS billing breaches Water supply cut in Larnaca tourist area until 3pm Cyprus inflation hits 4% in June, among EU’s highest Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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