mafia state — Andreas Mavroyiannis, the former Greek Cypriot chief negotiator for the Cyprus problem, has urged caution regarding calls for the attorney-general and his assistant to recuse themselves from the investigation into allegations of criminal liability against former president Nicos Anastasiades. The anti-corruption authority recently released a report suggesting that Anastasiades may have abused his power.
Speaking on Politis radio, Mavroyiannis emphasised the importance of trusting existing institutions, stating, “Political culture demands that we do not substitute institutions.” He highlighted the need for the attorney-general, George Savvides, and his assistant, Savvas Angelides, to be allowed to fulfil their roles unless there is a legitimate conflict of interest.
Despite the push for their recusal from the investigation, which has been echoed by various political figures including Anastasiades himself, Mavroyiannis maintained that excluding appointed officials from their responsibilities could undermine the integrity of the legal process. “We cannot, every time we have a case, start by excluding those who are assigned to carry out a specific mission,” he added.
Mavroyiannis, who served under Anastasiades and later ran for president in the 2023 elections, expressed his expectation for a thorough criminal investigation. He stressed that if wrongdoing is established, it is crucial that accountability is pursued. “Of course, accountability should be assigned, legal proceedings should be held, and illegal acts should be punished,” he asserted. He believes it is vital for the principles of rule of law and transparency to prevail in such matters.
The former negotiator also reflected on the origins of the investigation, which stemmed from a book titled Mafia State, authored by journalist and former Anastasiades aide Makarios Drousiotis. Mavroyiannis noted that the book ignited significant controversy upon its publication in 2022, prompting him to suggest to the anti-corruption authority that an investigation could be warranted.
While he did not file a formal report, Mavroyiannis expressed his hope that the allegations would be explored further. His letter to the anti-corruption authority was sent during the autumn of 2022, amidst his campaign for the presidency, where he ultimately finished second to Nikos Christodoulides, Anastasiades’ former foreign minister.
On the subject of potential corruption, Mavroyiannis stated, “I believe that the investigation led to a finding that there may be criminal liability and offences shows that in this case, the [anti-corruption] authority did its job well.” He acknowledged that while the findings suggest serious implications, the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, necessitating a comprehensive criminal inquiry to ascertain the legitimacy of the claims and whether legal action can be taken.
