Nicosia, Cyprus. Political parties on Tuesday called for further investigations into allegations of abuse of power against former president Nicos Anastasiades following the release of a report by the anti-corruption authority.
Disy said the report should be fully investigated, in line with the authority’s recommendation, while Akel called the findings extremely serious and urged criminal prosecution.
Disy calls for full investigation
In a short statement, Disy said the report “must be fully investigated, as is the recommendation” of the anti-corruption authority.
The party said this reflected its position in favor of a coordinated investigation of every complaint, with respect for the presumption of innocence.
It added that it would continue to serve the principles of transparency, checks and balances, and zero tolerance for anything reprehensible.
Akel demands prosecution
Akel said the report “confirms what even the stones in Cyprus know about the government of Anastasiades and Disy”.
The party said “the system of vested interests set up by the Disy government and Nicos Anastasiades indulged in a gigantic feast on the backs of the Cypriot people, humiliated the state and its institutions, and embarrassed the country internationally”.
It added that, regardless of the investigation in question and any possible criminal offences, what it described as a blatant and scandalous conflict of interests involving Anastasiades and his ministers in the golden passport industry was self-evident from the beginning and remains so.
Reference to citizenship-by-investment scheme
The “golden passport scheme” was the moniker given to Cyprus’ now defunct citizenship through investment programme.
Akel said the criminal offences attributed by the anti-corruption authority to Anastasiades were extremely serious and shameful for a president of the country.
The party called for Anastasiades to be criminally prosecuted and said attorney-general George Savvides and his deputy Savvas Angelides, both appointed by Anastasiades, should not be able to influence the course of the prosecution.
It said the accused must be brought to justice and the guilty must be imprisoned, adding that impunity cannot continue.