An institutional way will be found for Annie Alexui to hand over evidence safely, Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris said this morning.
Speaking on the Alpha Kalimera programme, Fytiris said the handover would be done safely both for her and for the evidence itself, so the investigation can proceed according to the law.
“Nobody can say what she’s claiming is lies, or that it’s true,” the minister said. “There may be names mentioned inside that don’t amount to a case against them,” he added.
As for the human dimension of what Ioanna Fotiou is alleging about her life, “it’s something that causes sadness,” he said.
Asked why police haven’t launched investigations into all of Alexui’s allegations, Fytiris said police can investigate everything without publicising it.
The Police Chief decides what gets publicised and what doesn’t, though his own view is that investigations shouldn’t be made public.
Asked if he’s scared the allegations might be true, he said that in 40 years in public service and the military, he’s seen that every organisation has vulnerable people who get mixed up with the underworld.
“The police are an organisation with people in it, and there are definitely criminals who don’t think about duty but about money,” he added.
Betting chain licences suspended
The minister also commented on news that BookieCo betting company hasn’t had its operating licences renewed. The owner is a 47-year-old businessman who was arrested in connection with the Larnaca city centre shooting case.
Fytiris said he doesn’t know why the relevant authority took this step, but it’s very likely connected to what’s come to light recently about the owner.
He pointed out this opens up another avenue—the state’s power to suspend legitimate-seeming businesses. “It’s one way to hit organised crime,” he said.
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