The evidence submitted by the four investigators is being described as key to the progression of the case involving the accusations of alleged criminal offences by officials as outlined by journalist Makarios Droushiotis, in his book ‘Mafia State’.
The findings were submitted yesterday (April 30th) to the Independent Authority against Corruption, with investigator Andreas Efthimiou counting more than 490 pieces of evidence, including documents in printed format but also a number of USBs, which might indicate that the the actual number of the exhibits could actually be much larger.
According to Philenews sources, Efthimiou was tasked with the safeguarding the evidence gathered in the ‘Mafia State’ investigation due to previous know how in a separate probe on discretionary naturalisations as prescribed in the framework of the Cyprus Investment Programme.
The other two Cypriot members of the investigative team, Charilaos Chrysanthou and Orestis Nikita delivered the findings yesterday.
Heading the group is Australian Gabrielle Louise MacIntyre who lives abroad and was not able to travel to Cyprus at this time.
She was however present during the investigation and hearings with frequent visits to the island, actively participating in taking testimony and drafting the findings.
What is to be made public and when
Philenews learns that next week and possibly Tuesday, the Independent Authority against Corruption will provide details of the findings, namely the number of people who testified, hearings and other evidence of the investigative work that was launched in the run up to the February 2023 Presidential elections.
An investigative team was set up in January 2023.
Five chapters to the findings
The decision to separate the findings into five chapters was made following a study of the Droushiotis accusations as outlined and set up in his book.
The conclusions will be comprehensively looked into by members of the Authority and subsequently approved accordingly.
The Authority will then make a relevant statement and should any possible offences arise, the Attorney General’s Office will then be called upon to decide whether to bring charges, thus initiating criminal proceedings.
All indications are that significant announcements on the case will be deferred post the May 24th parliamentary elections.
Former and current state officials, as well as journalists have testified in the framework of the investigation, including former President Nicos Anastasiades to whom the accusations are directed.
The hearings focused on claims by Droushiotis that a law firm connected to Anastasiades had business associations with Russian oligarch Dmitry Ribolovlev who allegedly received preferential treatment alluding to, as claimed, transfers of capital by sidestepping legal processes both in parliament and relevant courts.
The former President has categorically denied all accusations and has filed a lawsuit against Droushiotis, currently pending in court.