Developments involving Makarios Drousiotis in the “Sandy” case will not affect the investigation into the “Mafia State” book and Nicos Anastasiades, the Transparency Commissioner and head of the Anti-Corruption Authority has confirmed.
Speaking to Philenews, Harris Poyiadjis outlined the process the Independent Authority Against Corruption will follow. He clarified that the timeline for announcing the results depends on the volume of the final report, which is due by 30 April. Four inspection officers, led by Australian Gabrielle Louise McIntyre and including Cypriot lawyers Charilaos Chrysanhou, Orestis Nikita, and Andreas Efthymiou, conducted the probe.
Officials estimate that studying the final report will take at least one month, making it unlikely that the results will be released before the parliamentary elections. The Authority expects the findings to be extensive.
The Authority already holds draft reports for at least three of the five chapters. In a February statement based on this material, the Authority praised the thoroughness of the inspection officers and expressed full confidence in their work.
Receipt of report
According to the process explained by Poyiadjis, an announcement is expected in the first week of May to confirm receipt of the final findings and the start of the Authority’s review. This announcement may also outline the subsequent steps leading to the official disclosure of the conclusions.
Results expected after elections
The possibility of announcing final conclusions before the 24 May parliamentary elections is currently considered remote. Given the expected volume of the report, the Authority believes at least a month of study is required to prepare a final statement. This would include any recommendations to the Law Office should evidence of potential criminal liability be found.
Makarios Drousiotis and the Volt party, with which he is standing as a candidate, have expressed a desire for the results to be made public before the elections regardless of the outcome.
Full report will not be published
Poyiadjis clarified that the Independent Authority will not release the full inspection report but will only publish the conclusions. Any findings suggesting potential criminal liability will be forwarded to the Law Office, which will then have the discretion to decide on their publication.