Police open second investigation into journalist Makarios Drousiotis

Nicosia, Cyprus. Police have opened a second criminal investigation into journalist Makarios Drousiotis over alleged personal data offences connected with his book Mafia State, around four years after its publication.

The investigation began two months after the anti-corruption authority delivered its findings on allegations contained in the book.

New investigation

Drousiotis disclosed the investigation in a post on X on Saturday, saying police headquarters had begun taking statements from people involved in producing the book, including its printer, editor and designer.

He said the police department handling the new case was the same one that investigated the Sandy affair. Drousiotis accused authorities of attempting to intimidate people who worked with him.

He described the development as an attempt to “terrorise and criminalise investigative journalism” and said the case concerned personal data.

Sandy case proceedings

Drousiotis is already facing criminal proceedings in the separate Sandy case, in which he and a woman publicly known as Sandy have been served with indictments involving about 101 counts.

The case concerns allegations that fabricated messages and false claims were used to accuse public figures of serious crimes.

Police previously concluded that the disputed messages had been fabricated using a mobile application and said the material had been provided to Drousiotis by Sandy, who investigators said admitted creating it.

Drousiotis has rejected the police findings and accused investigators of predetermining the outcome of that investigation. He has also alleged that the criminal proceedings are intended to undermine his role as a witness in the Mafia State affair.

Separate examination

The new police investigation is separate from the anti-corruption authority’s examination of allegations contained in Mafia State.