Nicosia, Cyprus. Journalist Makarios Drousiotis said on Thursday that the anti-corruption authority’s findings on allegations in his book Mafia State had vindicated years of reporting, after the authority concluded that former president Nicos Anastasiades and others may bear criminal liability. Speaking after the publication of the authority’s conclusions, he said he felt satisfaction following years of legal disputes and public criticism linked to the book’s 2022 publication.
Reaction to the findings
Speaking to Sigma, Drousiotis said the process was far from complete. He said Anastasiades had chosen four points from the book for legal action against him, and that the anti-corruption authority had produced reports on all four.
Authority’s conclusions
The authority’s report recommends further investigation into a number of individuals and entities, including Anastasiades, over allegations including abuse of power, influence peddling, money laundering and perjury.
Scope of the inquiry
The findings followed a lengthy inquiry in which investigators examined hundreds of pieces of evidence and heard testimony from scores of witnesses.
Drousiotis’ assessment
Drousiotis said the conclusions broadly confirmed issues he had previously raised through his investigative work. He said the findings showed that what he wrote in the books was confirmed.
Limits of the investigation
He also said the authority’s investigation had limitations because it did not have full criminal investigative powers. According to Drousiotis, the material examined represented only part of a wider body of evidence collected during his own research.