Anastasiades issues new statement rejecting Mafia State allegations

Nicosia, Cyprus. Former President Nicos Anastasiades has again rejected allegations against him in the Mafia State affair, issuing a written statement of more than 20 pages and 8,000 words targeting author and investigator Makarios Drousiotis and the Independent Authority against Corruption.

He has previously responded twice to the Authority’s findings, in June, while an investigation by an independent team of criminal investigators appointed in July remains under way.

Claims against the author and Authority

Anastasiades said his objective was to clear his name, arguing that the claims in Drousiotis’ book Mafia State had been refuted and that the Anti-Corruption Authority had not adequately reflected this in its findings.

He alleged that the Authority had failed to carry out its duties properly and had been influenced by the surrounding climate of opinion. He also criticised what he described as “followers of populism and nihilism” and “courts of public opinion”.

In his statement, Anastasiades said: “Despite the fact that the Authority rejected in their entirety the author’s claims of corruption through unjust enrichment, misappropriation of money or property, or any actions damaging to the Republic of Cyprus, both the author and the followers of nihilism, using the Authority’s ‘findings’, distort the truth, insisting on the verdict of the courts of public opinion.”

He cited paragraphs 30 and 80 of the Authority’s report. Paragraph 30 states that the standard of proof in investigative proceedings is the balance of probabilities, rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt, which applies in criminal cases. Paragraph 80 states that other allegations in the book not included in the report had not been proven even to the minimum standard required in investigative proceedings.

Response to findings

Anastasiades set out his position chapter by chapter, maintaining that the book’s claims were refuted throughout. He said seven suggestions by inspection officers regarding possible offences by the former president, based on the balance of probabilities, resulted either from an incorrect chronological linking of events, legally unfounded conclusions, or testimony by the author that he described as being of doubtful reliability.

The statement also addressed the “Sandy” affair and Drousiotis’ public comments on the matter. Drousiotis faces court charges of publishing false news, circulating a forged document and harassment.

Anastasiades questioned why the chairman of the Authority issued a statement on 20/04/2026 saying that investigations involving the author over the “Sandy” matter did not affect the investigation into Mafia State and Nicos Anastasiades. He also argued that, following the rejection of Drousiotis’ claims, the Authority should examine Drousiotis under Article 22 of the law governing its operation.

Questions over public statements

Anastasiades further questioned the Authority’s lack of response to statements in which Drousiotis expressed certainty about the outcome of the investigation. He listed statements made by Drousiotis in connection with the “Sandy” case, which the author linked to the Authority’s then-upcoming announcements on the Mafia State findings.

He also referred to reports concerning a relationship between Drousiotis’ lawyer, Leto Cariolou, and Gabrielle Louise McIntyre, who headed the Authority’s investigators. Anastasiades said he did not endorse the reports, but argued that the silence over the matter and the Authority’s lack of response to Drousiotis’ statements raised questions concerning transparency.