The anti-corruption authority is set to summon about 30 witnesses as part of its investigation into allegations made against former President Nicos Anastasiades in the book “Mafia State”.
Australian investigator Gabriel Louise McIntyre, who heads the inspection team, will arrive in Cyprus in mid-February to lead the probe, with hearings scheduled to begin on February 18, sources familiar with the matter told philenews.
The investigation, launched by the Independent Authority Against Corruption, will examine claims made by author and researcher Makarios Drousiotis about events following Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce proceedings in Cyprus.
Witnesses, including officials and their associates, will testify before the appointed experts until early March, with the final report expected by late spring, according to sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.
The book alleges connections between a major law firm and the then-president, questionable legislative amendments, judicial decisions favouring the oligarch, and capital transfers. Former President Anastasiades is expected to testify as part of the proceedings.
Anastasiades has repeatedly denied all allegations in written statements and interviews, and has initiated legal proceedings against the author.
The probe will examine various claims detailed in “Mafia State”, including alleged parliamentary manoeuvres to modify legislation and suspicious financial transactions.
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