"Mafia State" Investigation: 15 Persons Under Criminal Scrutiny, Including Anastasiades
The Independent Authority Against Corruption has attributed potential criminal liability to 15 persons, among whom the former President. A tax investigation into seven former officials is to follow.
Two-Year Inquiry: 15 Persons, Up to 14 Years' Imprisonment and €500,000 Fine
The findings of the investigation into the so-called "Mafia State" attribute potential criminal liability to 15 persons — former officials and private individuals — among them the former President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, as reported by Philenews. The offences identified by the Independent Authority Against Corruption carry, in the event of conviction, prison sentences ranging from seven to 14 years' imprisonment and fines reaching €500,000.
The investigation, lasting more than two years, began following a complaint by the presidential candidate Andreas Mavrogiannis in early 2023, and commenced officially in spring 2024. Its cost, according to reports, has reached at least €1.3 million.
Charges Against Anastasiades
The former President is being investigated for trading in influence in three instances, for the felony of abuse of authority in one instance, and for abuse of authority as a misdemeanour or attempted commission of a criminal offence in three further instances. He faces liability for decisions he took whilst holding the highest office of the executive.
In addition, two of his former partners in the law firm he founded — Stathis Lemis and Fanos Philippou — are being investigated in two instances for trading in influence (up to seven years' imprisonment) and money laundering from illegal activities (up to 14 years' imprisonment).
Other Persons Involved
The Authority recommends investigation of a series of other natural and legal persons:
- Law Firm Nicos Chr. Anastasiades & Partners: trading in influence and money laundering from illegal activities.
- Rikkos Erotokritos, former Deputy Attorney General: abuse of authority as a misdemeanour, in two instances.
- Charis Solomonidis, former president of the District Court: bribery of a public official, transactions indicating corruption and unlawful acquisition of pecuniary benefit — three instances in total.
- A. Neokleous & Co Ltd: bribery of a public official, transactions indicating corruption, active bribery and corporate liability of a legal person.
- Panagiotis Neokleous: conspiracy to obstruct the course of justice.
- Dmitry Rybolovlev: trading in influence.
- Andreas Chatzikyriakos: trading in influence.
- Efthymios Bouloutas: trading in influence and money laundering from illegal activities, in two instances.
- Nicos Kougialis, former Minister of Agriculture: abuse of authority as a misdemeanour.
- Giorgos Varnavas, former Member of Parliament: abuse of authority as a misdemeanour or attempted commission of a criminal offence.
- Eva Rossidou Papakyriakou, former head of MOCAS: abuse of authority as a misdemeanour or attempted commission of a criminal offence and neglect of official duty, in two instances.
- Ioannis Sotiriades, former senior police officer: abuse of authority as a misdemeanour.
Tax Investigation and Referral to the Attorney General
In parallel, Auditor General Sotiris Markidis is initiating a tax investigation against seven former officials included in the findings. The final text of the inspection officers — Louis McIndoe, Charialou Chrysanthou, Orestis Nikita and Andreas Efthymios — together with all the evidence material, is to be submitted to the Attorney General of the Republic, Giorgos Savvidis, within the coming days. Savvidis will decide whether the findings are sufficient to initiate criminal proceedings.
The announcement of the findings was made public at 11:00 in the morning. This was preceded by a telephone briefing of Nicos Anastasiades by the head of the Authority and Commissioner for Transparency, Charis Pogiatzis, whilst the other persons involved were informed by electronic mail.
The Authority: Not All Findings Were Published
The Independent Authority Against Corruption clarified that the findings focus on the principal points arising from the investigation. "Other assertions raised in the Book and not contained in this Announcement, means that these have not been proved to the degree required," states the relevant announcement.
The Authority also explained its choice of confidentiality regarding the full text of the report: "Given that the Final Report, which comprises nearly 3,000 pages, plus the Minutes and Evidence, constitutes evidence material and will be submitted to the Attorney General for his own actions, we consider that this confidentiality should continue to apply so as not to adversely affect any future investigative proceedings."
Source: Philenews