The news certainly came as no surprise to journalists. For at least the last two years, the name of former minister Marios Dimitriades has been among those discussed in the investigations into the golden passports scandal.
More specifically, his family’s law firm has been implicated in the police inquiries. However, due to his ministerial position, Dimitriades himself was often in the public eye. Those familiar with the case anticipated that he, and members of his family, would eventually face charges.
Of course, being charged in the Nicosia District Court does not automatically imply guilt. Like everyone, he is innocent until proven guilty. Mr Dimitriades is among several individuals charged with offences related to corruption, bribery, conspiracy to defraud, and money laundering. According to the indictment, he is accused of interfering in the citizenship approval process.
The investigation began with the naturalisation of three individuals from Cambodia. As reported by philenews yesterday, it was revealed that a married couple and their adult son had obtained citizenship through false representations and/or concealment of material facts. The review of their files showed that a specific law firm had provided services for their naturalisation process.
In a written statement yesterday, Marios Dimitriades claimed that “false allegations and malicious charges” were used to bring charges against him. We are not in a position to confirm or deny the former minister’s assertion, who, it should be noted, is also at the centre of another emerging scandal regarding the controversial Limassol port privatisation deal, which appears to be on unfavourable terms for the state.
However, we can confidently focus on a specific part of Mr Dimitriades’s statement: “Nevertheless, my targeting was predetermined to divert attention away from those truly responsible for the Cyprus Investment Programme.”
A very meaningful statement. Who, Mr Dimitriades, are these people you claim are truly responsible for the golden passports, if not you? If you believe others are guilty, why not name them so the authorities can take action? Did you inform the investigators, and were they ignored? If so, tell us, and we pledge (not in Nicos Anastasiads style, but genuinely) to expose them publicly, so the law enforcement agencies cannot turn a blind eye. Do you have evidence? If so, why not present it?
The ‘Nikolatos committee‘ findings held the Cabinet, of which you were a part, responsible. Are you referring to some members of that council? The then head of government? Or someone else? Or is this just another vague statement to shift public attention away from yourself? Anyone claiming innocence and knowledge of the real culprits must speak up, Mr Dimitriades. When a country’s reputation is tarnished, those who know and remain silent are also guilty.
P.S. LEAVE US ALONE, MR KADIS!
Mr Kadis took offence at our criticism of his Cyprus’ EU Commissioner nomination. He stated that all countries had proposed individuals holding state offices. It’s even more irritating when he attempts to undermine our intelligence.
It’s one thing for a President to suggest a minister or another government official, Mr Kadis. But the issue with you is that from 2007 until now, you’ve changed governments and ministries like changing shirts.
Health Minister under President Tassos, Education Minister in the first Anastasiades administration, Agriculture Minister in the second Anastasiades government, and now Commissioner under President Christodoulides. How do you manage to stick with every President for 17 years? Are you a political Superman who can handle any ministerial portfolio
If there were a Nobel Prize for recycling, you’d surely win it!
