Anti-Corruption Authority: Nikos Anastasiades may face criminal charges
The Anti-Corruption Authority announced that former President Nikos Anastasiades may have committed abuse of power in multiple instances, including payments between companies linked to the book "Mafia State".
Anti-Corruption Authority: Nikos Anastasiades may face criminal charges
The Anti-Corruption Authority made public the findings of its investigation into the book "Mafia State", identifying possible criminal charges against former President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiades and other persons.
According to the Authority's announcement, Mr Anastasiades is alleged to have exceeded the limits of his authority during his tenure in various instances. One of these concerns financial transactions between two companies, Focus Maritime and Rizokarpasso Shipping.
The former President denied the allegations in a written statement, and simultaneously called for the matter to be investigated by the competent authorities. His political office announced that he would hold a press conference on 23 June at 11:00 a.m. at the Press Club in Nicosia.
The Authority did not make public the full text of the report, but only a summary of the findings. Following the announcement, a public debate began about the scope of immunity that the Constitution affords a former President.
Article 42 of the Constitution provides that the President is not prosecuted criminally during his tenure, except in special cases. Specifically, he may be prosecuted for high treason by decision of Parliament or for an offence involving fraud or moral turpitude, with the permission of the President of the Supreme Court. However, the phrase "in the performance of his duties" leaves room for interpretation.
One possible solution would be for the former President himself to waive his immunity. The book "Mafia State" was published in late 2022. In April 2024, Mr Anastasiades filed a lawsuit against author Marios Drousiotes, seeking compensation of more than 2 million euros for defamatory libel and a ban on the books "Mafia State" and "The Gang".
Source: Cyprus Mail
Source: Cyprus Mail