A lawyer has called for the Republic of Cyprus to refer the allegations made public by Makarios Drousiotis to an international criminal court.
Justice Minister Costas Fytiris has said the investigation will go before the Council of Ministers for a decision on how to proceed.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s midday programme, lawyer Christos Triantafyllides said the investigation should be handled by experienced foreign investigators with no connection to anyone involved in the allegations. “They should have been brought to Cyprus immediately to investigate the facts,” he said, adding that “the microbe of prejudice exists everywhere in Cyprus.”
Fytiris, speaking earlier, said he could not prejudge anything and that all options remain on the table. “Foreign criminal investigators cannot be brought in to conduct direct investigations in a state, whatever problems that state may have,” he said. “The institutions must handle it, and if foreign expertise is required we will consider that in due course. If the police say there is evidence they cannot investigate and that they need foreign experts, that will be included in the findings and the Council of Ministers will decide.” Fytiris added that the case “must be clarified as soon as possible so that such allegations are not floating around”, confirming that a police team has already been appointed to investigate once evidence is formally submitted, and that the probe must be “reliable and thorough.”
The question of who should investigate the case has become one of the central points of contention. Triantafyllides is not the only voice calling for external oversight. Lawyer Nikos Clerides, who represents the woman at the centre of the sexual misconduct allegations referred to as Sandy, has separately argued that the matter should be referred to GRECO, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body. “I have absolutely no confidence in the police nor the legal service and I do not believe that they will receive an objective investigation,” Clerides said.
Background
The allegations by Drousiotis began circulating publicly at the end of March, outlining what he alleges is a structured, clandestine system involving figures in the judiciary, politics and business. Central to his claims is the assertion that a modern incarnation of a Rosicrucian brotherhood operates within Cyprus, exercising influence over institutions and facilitating unlawful activity. The material also refers to issues such as the surveillance van case, the Focus maritime investigation and loan sale arrangements under Project Helix.
Drousiotis has said he has evidence supporting every word he published. “I am a journalist, not a criminal investigator. Gathering evidence for court proceedings is the responsibility of the authorities,” he said.
Police spokesperson Vyron Vyronos described the matter as “serious and complex”, confirming that authorities have requested Drousiotis to provide all relevant evidence, and that further resources including expert analysis would be deployed if necessary.
Former EDEK MEP Demetris Papadakis confirmed he has handed over his mobile phone for forensic examination, saying “whatever the result, it should be handed over to the police-chief.” Former Supreme Court judge Michalakis Christodoulou acknowledged knowing Sandy, saying he became acquainted with her between September 2020 and autumn 2021 and characterised his involvement as supportive. “I tried to support her like a father on some issues that are not for publicity,” he said, adding that his phone and all communications are at the disposal of investigators.
All allegations referenced in this piece are unverified claims. The individuals named in the Drousiotis allegations have denied wrongdoing and have not had the opportunity to respond to all specific claims outlined here.
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