Cyprus police investigate personal data complaint linked to Mafia State

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus police have confirmed they are investigating a complaint over an alleged breach of personal data linked to journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis and his book Mafia State.

Drousiotis said a second criminal investigation had been opened against him, four years after the book’s publication and two months after the Independent Authority Against Corruption submitted its findings.

Drousiotis’ statement

In a social media post, Drousiotis said: “The masks are off. After my referral to the Assize Court on charges of spreading false news over the ‘Santi’ case, police have now opened a second criminal case against me over Mafia State!”

He said the Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department had requested statements from the book’s printer, editor and designer, describing this as an attempt to intimidate his associates.

Drousiotis said that tolerance by the political establishment and journalistic community towards what he described as the criminalisation of investigative journalism had encouraged the opening of criminal investigations over books.

He added that the matter concerned freedom of expression, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, as well as society as a whole.

Police confirmation

Police Headquarters Communications Branch officer Michalis Michael confirmed that the complaint concerns a possible breach of personal data.

He said the investigation is separate from the case concerning the findings of the Independent Authority Against Corruption, for which criminal investigators have been appointed.

Michael told the Cyprus News Agency that the complaint was filed with the Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department, whose officers are handling the investigation.

He said the case remains at an early stage and no further information could be provided to protect the investigation.