Nicosia, Cyprus. Former House president Demetris Syllouris said wealth is what distinguishes him from corrupt officials after a Nicosia criminal court acquitted him of all charges related to his alleged involvement in the ‘golden passports’ scandal.
Acquittal and response outside court
Leaving the court on Tuesday, Syllouris said he held no grudges against anyone, including prosecutors, the creators of the video he described as montaged, and those who used it for political purposes or judged him.
He said the Al Jazeera video had been edited to tarnish his name and that he had maintained “absolute silence” for more than five years, adding that he did not speak in court and wanted to be tried in the manner the judicial system deemed appropriate.
Background to the allegations
In 2020, Al Jazeera broadcast a video in which high-profile officials appeared to assist the proxy of a pretend Chinese investor, said to have a criminal record, in securing a Cypriot passport through the citizenship-by-investment scheme. Syllouris appeared in the footage.
Claims of integrity and focus on wealth
Syllouris said he was clean and would continue in politics with the rule of law as his top interest, and with a focus on combating entanglement and corruption.
He said entanglement and corruption are not reflected in artificial images, including montaged and AI images, and argued that corruption and entanglement result in wealth, which he said he does not have. He added that he could compare his wealth with any politician who has served the Republic of Cyprus since 1960 and said wealth is the tool to combat corruption.
Do you believe personal wealth is a reliable indicator for identifying corruption in politics?