Cyprus’ Independent Authority Against Corruption has identified reasonable suspicion that former president Nicos Anastasiades and a number of senior officials may have committed corruption-related offences, including abuse of power, trading in influence and related conduct, following a two-year investigation linked to allegations in the book Mafia State by former presidential aide and journalist Makarios Drousiotis.
The Authority stressed that its findings are based on the civil standard of proof and do not constitute criminal convictions. The report has been forwarded to the Attorney General and the tax authorities for further assessment.
Below is a breakdown of the individuals named and the specific findings attached to each.
Nicos Anastasiades – former president
The former president is central to multiple strands of the investigation, with reasonable suspicion identified across several separate cases.
Focus Maritime investigation
The report finds reasonable suspicion that Anastasiades intervened in an ongoing police investigation into Focus Maritime, a company linked to financial flows involving Andreas Vgenopoulos and Laiki Bank.
- Allegedly pressed the then attorney-general Costas Clerides to discontinue the investigation
- Intervention occurred while the investigation was still active
- The Authority concludes this may constitute felony abuse of power
Alleged Laiki Bank campaign funding
Investigators found reasonable suspicion that €250,000 was provided in 2011 in connection with his 2013 presidential campaign.
- Funds allegedly routed through offshore structures
- Disguised as “introducer fees”
- Linked to former Laiki Bank CEO Efthymios Bouloutas
- Assessed as potential trading in influence
Rybolovleva arrest case
The report identifies reasonable suspicion in relation to the 2014 arrest of Elena Rybolovleva.
- Alleged intermediary arrangements facilitated contact with Dmitry Rybolovlev
- Alleged benefit included a private flight linked to the former president
- No official travel records identified in state or civil aviation systems
- Examined as potential trading in influence
MOKAS and Abramov citizenship file
Two separate administrative strands are included:
- MOKAS investigation:
- Action on financial crime issues occurred only after public intervention
- Despite prior internal referral, no immediate response was recorded
- Citizenship file (Alexander Abramov):
- Then DISY leader met the interior minister regarding the application
- Examined within broader influence context
Dromolaxia land dispute
The report also examines intervention in a land development dispute.
- Engagement with attorney-general’s office on the matter
- Intervention in administrative/legal handling of property rights
- Facilitation of buffer zone crossing by claimant
- No personal financial benefit identified
- Classified as possible improper exercise of authority
Haris Solomonides – former Nicosia District Court president
The report identifies reasonable suspicion relating to judicial conduct in cases linked to financial trust disputes.
Key findings
- Alleged abuse of judicial authority in issuing interim orders
- Possible conflict of interest linked to employment of a close relative at a law firm involved in related cases
- Employment arrangement viewed as a potential indirect benefit
- Possible receipt of improper advantage / bribery of public official
The Authority links these issues to cases involving trust structures associated with Rybolovlev-related litigation.
Andreas Neocleous & Co law firm
The law firm is identified in relation to judicial and procedural influence in court-related cases.
Findings include:
- Potential corporate liability for active bribery of a public official
- Alleged conspiracy to obstruct justice
- Alleged failure to disclose relevant employment and conflict-of-interest arrangements in court proceedings
- Benefit flows linked to cases before the judiciary
Panayiotis Neocleous – law firm partner
Named in connection with the same judicial strand.
Findings include:
- Alleged involvement in conspiracy to obstruct justice
- Role in facilitating non-disclosure of employment-related arrangements
- Participation in conduct linked to judicial process integrity concerns
Rikkos Erotokritou – former Assistant Attorney-General
The report identifies findings relating to prosecutorial handling of sensitive case files.
Key findings:
- Alleged abuse of power
- Direct management of a police investigation file outside standard procedures
- Failure to escalate matter appropriately to Attorney General
- Possible intervention in procedural and evidentiary handling
- Alleged influence over affidavit and case handling processes
Senior police officer Ioannis Sotiriades
The report identifies multiple alleged procedural breaches.
Findings include:
- Alleged abuse of authority
- Possible obstruction of investigations
- Alleged leakage or improper handling of confidential information
- Unauthorised actions during an active investigation
- Coordination concerns with external parties during case handling
Andreas Hadjikyriakos – intermediary
Identified as a facilitator in the Rybolovleva-related strand.
Findings include:
- Alleged role in trading in influence
- Acting as intermediary between private interests and state-level decision-making
- Facilitating contact and arrangements linked to alleged benefits
- Coordination of interactions during legal proceedings
Dmitry Rybolovlev – businessman
Referenced in the same investigative strand.
Findings include:
- Identified as potentially linked to active trading in influence
- Associated with arrangements connected to legal proceedings involving his former spouse
- Included in evidentiary assessment of influence networks
Next steps
The Authority has stressed that its findings are preliminary in legal terms and must be assessed by prosecutorial authorities.
The full report will not be published due to investigative sensitivity, but has been submitted to the Attorney General and the tax authorities for further review.
It reiterates that all individuals named are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
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