Makarios Droussiotis, a journalist and MEP candidate with Volt Cyprus party, revealed that former President Nicos Anastasiades is demanding two million euros in damages for references made in Droussiotis’s book State Mafia. Droussiotis testified to the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority about Anastasiades for six hours and is prepared to defend the contents of his book despite the legal action.
The Independent Authority against Corruption is investigating allegations made in the book “State Mafia” by journalist Makarios Drousiotis. Former officials and Members of Parliament will be summoned to testify, including former Attorney General Kostas Clerides, former MP Averof Neophytou, and others. The focus of the investigation is on the case of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev. Former President Nikos Anastasiades has filed a lawsuit against Drousiotis for defamation, seeking €2,000,000 in damages. Drousiotis claims this is a distraction from his ongoing testimony before the Anti-Corruption Authority.
A man was shot while riding his motorbike in the Anthoupolis area in Nicosia. He is in critical condition with wounds from three bullets. The victim is reportedly a member of the gang of criminal Alexis Mavromichalis. The shooter was a passenger on a second motorbike, and a third person is being investigated. The victim had visited an individual being held at the Lakatamia police station before the shooting. Police are investigating threats made by the victim to establish a motive for the attack. The perpetrators of the shooting waited in ambush near the police station. The victim was found on the ground in a pool of blood with three bullet casings nearby.
Spanish police led an international operation to arrest a gang that defrauded 645 million euros from victims in 35 countries in a scam involving medicinal cannabis plants. The gang convinced victims to invest in the system through marketing tactics at international cannabis fairs. Nine suspects were detained in various countries on suspicion of fraud. The gang promised victims profits of up to 168% per year by financing the cultivation of cannabis plants. Luxury cars, hotel parties, and music videos were used in an advertising campaign. Police seized properties worth 2.6 billion euros and recovered cash and crypto currencies.