Savvides warns against media allegations of institutional cover-ups

Nicosia, Cyprus. Attorney-general George Savvides has cautioned against media accusations that institutions conceal wrongdoing, describing slogans that “everything is being covered up” as “extremely dangerous”. Addressing the bar association’s general assembly on Wednesday, he defended freedom of expression but said it should not be used to spread intentional misinformation or allegations lacking foundation.

Responsibilities in public debate

Savvides said public discussion was increasingly marked by conclusions reached too early and opinions accepted without adequate scrutiny. He argued that freedom of expression entailed responsibilities and that debate needed to be grounded in evidence and critical assessment.

He also warned against assertions that most people were corrupt. Savvides said it was unacceptable for institutions to be readily subjected to attacks, or for individuals to face public vilification and slander amid an online outcry.

Public trust needed rebuilding, he said, although some people were intentionally trying to weaken it. He added that the response should involve neither behaving as a tyrant like Nero nor watching public humiliation as a spectator would in the Colosseum.

Scrutiny of the legal service

The remarks came against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the legal service’s approach to several cases. These include the spy van surveillance affair and allegations concerning former president Nicos Anastasiades that were examined by the anti-corruption authority.

Questions about the legal service’s handling of the spy van case have recently resurfaced. The affair concerned surveillance equipment marketed by WiSpear, which was previously led by Israeli businessman Tal Dilian.

Dispute over the inquiry’s scope

The anti-corruption authority concluded its investigation into the spy van affair in September. A disagreement later arose about whether the inquiry had encompassed deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides.

The authority said its intention had been to investigate every aspect of the case, including whether there was a potential conflict of interest involving Angelides.