Nicosia, Cyprus. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said he will inform cabinet on Tuesday about developments in a case stemming from allegations by journalist Makarios Drousiotis against a number of high-profile figures. He said he was briefed by police chief Themistos Arnaoutis ahead of the cabinet update.
Minister to study next steps ahead of cabinet discussion
Fitiris told reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of fire safety week that he had been briefed on the matter by Arnaoutis with a view to informing cabinet of the latest situation. Asked whether he already has an idea about what he will propose as the government’s next steps, he said he will study it.
“I have the obligation to inform cabinet and make a recommendation, and from there, cabinet will make the decisions,” he said. Asked about the possibility of appointing an independent criminal investigator, he said the issue would be considered after the cabinet discussion.
Allegations focus on woman known as ‘Sandy’ and former judge
Drousiotis’ allegations centre on a now 45-year-old woman known only as ‘Sandy’, whom he says was raped and stabbed by former supreme court judge Michalakis Christodoulou. Drousiotis also accuses Christodoulou of fathering three of her children.
According to Drousiotis, ‘Sandy’ had offered this information to her lawyer, Nikos Clerides, who is Costas Clerides’ brother. This has led to criticism of the former attorney-general, as some believe that if his brother knew about the accusations, he must have also known.
Police searches and responses from named figures
Police previously searched Nikos Clerides’ home and residence, with former bar association chairman Christos Clerides accusing authorities on Saturday of acting in a manner akin to “terrorism”. He questioned why police have not searched the property of Christodoulou or ‘Sandy’.
Christodoulou has maintained his innocence, saying he had “acted like a father” to ‘Sandy’. Other figures named by Drousiotis, including former MEP Demetris Papadakis and Edek deputy leader Morfakis Solomonides, whom Drousiotis alleges acted “on the behest of Christodoulou as informants and interlocutors”, have denied the allegations.
What decision should cabinet take next in response to the latest briefing on the case?
