The Independent Authority Against Corruption’s (IAAC) investigation into Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State” intensified today with a six-hour hearing focused on the chapter “A Spy in the Palm of My Hand.”
Drousiotis, the book’s author, testified about his experience of being surveilled through his electronic devices. He presented evidence to support his claims, raising questions about potential police involvement.
Last February, philenews revealed that the police would be scrutinised as part of this investigation. It noted that an initial assessment of the book by the IAAC raised questions about a potential deliberate act involving the police force.
The book details Drousiotis’ account of approaching the police with his suspicions. He alleges a lack of enthusiasm from police officers to investigate his claims of being monitored through malware.
This aspect, along with other chapters focusing on the case of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, formed part of the material presented to the IAAC’s inspection team led by Gabrielle Louise McIntyre.
The investigation delves into the events surrounding Rybolovlev’s divorce in Cyprus, as revealed in the book.
“Mafia State” alleges the involvement of a prominent law firm with ties to the former president, questionable legislative amendments, favourable court rulings for Rybolovlev, and suspicious financial transactions.
Former President Nicos Anastasiades has publicly denied all allegations made against him.
McIntyre, who is nearing the end of her current stay in Cyprus, will return for at least another 20 days to continue witness testimonies and further investigations.
Previous witnesses included Petros and Kostas Clerides (former Attorneys General), Averof Neofytou (ex-DISY president), Alexandra Pelagia (representing Elena Rybolovleva), and police officers, including Yiannakis Sotiriades.
Drousiotis worked as an aide to President Anastasiades between 2013-2014. Since leaving the Presidential Palace, Drousiotis has written three books accusing the country’s political elite of widespread corruption, based on his experiences collaborating with Anastasiades.
“Mafia State” notably references Russian oligarch Dimitri Rybolovlev and the aftermath of his divorce in Cyprus, implicating a major law firm’s role and its ties to Anastasiades, unusual legislative processes, judicial decisions favouring Rybolovlev, and capital movements.
In an interview with Phileleftheros in 2023, Dutch MEP and rapporteur of the PEGA committee, Sophie in ’t Veld had said that journalists, politicians, civil society activists, lawyers and other personalities in public life, are at risk of becoming victims of surveillance.
She noted that national security is used as justification for surveillance and stresses that “democracy is in grave danger if those in power no longer feel any obligation of accountability towards the citizens.”
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Surveillance. surveillance, investigation, corruption