Limassol, Cyprus. Former president Nicos Anastasiades testified to investigators on Thursday in connection with the so-called ‘Sandy’ case, rejecting any link to the material under investigation. Speaking after questioning, he described the allegations as unfounded and misrepresented.
Testimony to investigators
Anastasiades told Omega TV the case was based on what he called “fiction adopted after investigations by journalist Makarios Drousiotis,” and said the narrative being circulated did not match his understanding of events. He said claims linked to messages and alleged communications in the case file were inaccurate, adding, “The story is for laughter or even tears.”
Responses to claims in the case material
He denied references concerning alleged meetings and relationships, saying there was no family or personal connection involving former supreme court judge Michalis Christodoulou as suggested by the allegations. He also rejected interpretations of messages attributed to him, saying they were being taken out of context.
Anastasiades said suggestions he had made comments about surveillance or monitoring were misrepresented. He also said that during his presidency he did not use a personal mobile phone for official matters, and that any relevant communications were conducted through appropriate channels.
Link to publications and other references
He said the allegations were connected to publications by Drousiotis and claimed they were incorporated from books, including ‘Mafia State,’ which he described as “fictious and politically motivated.” He said the material was constructed to support pre-existing narratives and used to frame allegations without evidential basis.
Referring to mentions of a so-called ‘Rosicrucian brotherhood’ in parts of the case material, Anastasiades said, “the only brotherhood I know is the brotherhood of the unfit,” adding that such references were, in his view, used to undermine institutions.
What do you think investigators should focus on when assessing claims based on alleged messages and communications?