Cypriot party denounces problem with appointment of investigator for corruption scandal
Alma criticises the government for reportedly selecting a lawyer who continues to defend Tal Dilyan as an independent criminal investigator in the "State-Mafia" case.
Cypriot party denounces problem with appointment of investigator for corruption scandal
The Alma Movement – Citizens for Cyprus issued a statement expressing serious objections to the manner in which the government is handling the appointment of independent criminal investigators who will examine the "State-Mafia" scandal.
According to the party, instead of learning from previous mistakes, the executive branch appears to be directing itself towards placing Ilias Anastastapoulos in the position of investigator. Alma notes that the particular lawyer is not a former criminal lawyer called to an institutional role, but remains active in the legal profession. In fact, he undertakes cases as the lawyer of businessman Tal Dilyan in Greece, in relation to illegal phone tapping matters.
The political force adds that the professional career of the said lawyer is connected with many well-known corruption cases. Reference is made, for example, to his participation in the defence of a Cypriot businessman in the Tsochatzopoulos case, as well as to the support he provided to Leonidas Bompola for the Corinth landfill scandal.
Alma argues that for such important and sensitive investigations, individuals should be selected who are no longer involved as defence lawyers in corruption cases, so as to ensure complete institutional neutrality.
The party also criticises the President of the Republic, emphasising that he insists on deciding personally on appointments, despite the fact that his own position presents an obvious conflict of interest. The President served as a minister in the Anastasiades government, appears as a witness in the said investigation, and maintains close political ties with the former President.
Source: PhileNews
Source: Philenews