Bar Association head urges caution over Drousiotis crowdfunding investigation

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus Bar Association president Michalis Vorkas has urged caution over an investigation into journalist Makarios Drousiotis’ crowdfunding campaign for legal expenses, saying the presumption of innocence must be respected.

Legal framework

The interior ministry filed a complaint alleging a possible breach of the Fundraising Law of 2014, Law 68(I)/2014, by Drousiotis.

Vorkas told the Cyprus Mail that the law requires organisers of public fundraising campaigns to obtain prior authorisation from the licensing authority, which includes representatives of the interior ministry, police and social welfare services.

“The purpose of the law is to establish the procedures, terms and conditions governing fundraising campaigns, to enable the necessary oversight and inspections, and to provide for sanctions aimed at preventing unlawful and misleading fundraising activities,” he said.

Potential penalties

Vorkas said the legislation provides for penalties of up to €10,000, two years’ imprisonment, or both, for organisers of unauthorised fundraising campaigns.

However, he questioned whether those provisions apply to Drousiotis’ case.

“The law requires such a permit when the fundraiser is organised within the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.

Overseas platform

Drousiotis is seeking contributions towards the cost of defending criminal proceedings through GoGetFunding, a platform based abroad, Vorkas said.

“His appeal is not directed only to the Republic of Cyprus but to the international community,” he said.

Vorkas said this raised the question of whether the alleged criminal offence had in fact been committed under the cited provisions of Cypriot law. He said the matter would ultimately depend on the outcome of the police investigation.

He also warned against treating the matter as though an offence had already been established.