Former President Nicos Anastasiades arrived at the Independent Authority Against Corruption offices in Nicosia on Monday morning to testify in an investigation into allegations made in Makarios Drousiotis’s book “Mafia State“.
Anastasiades entered the Authority’s premises on Markou Drakou Avenue at 8:24 a.m. to present his position on claims that have sparked a major political controversy in Cyprus.
The investigation is now entering its final phase, with Anastasiades’s testimony considered crucial to the inquiry being conducted by officials appointed by the Authority.
Author Makarios Drousiotis alleged in his book that Russian oligarch Dmitri Rybolovlev received favourable treatment from Anastasiades, claiming the billionaire paid for private jets used by the then-president for foreign travel in 2015.
Drousiotis also made allegations concerning the role of a major law firm and its relationship with Anastasiades, unusual parliamentary activities to amend legislation, court decisions that allegedly benefited the oligarch in preventing his wife Elena Rybolovleva from claiming part of his assets, and capital transfers.
Anastasiades initially rejected all allegations in public written statements. He subsequently published his own book, “The Slanderer”, which includes documents he claims refute Drousiotis’ allegations.
According to the scheduled programme, Anastasiades is expected to continue testifying on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week. Sources confirmed he will submit documents from his book as part of his testimony.
