'Mafia State' case: Successive denials from lawyers – announcements on criminal investigators tomorrow
The Presidential office is expected to announce criminal investigators for the 'Mafia State' case shortly, despite successive denials from prominent criminal lawyers.
'Mafia State' case: Lawyers' denials delay investigators' appointments
The Presidential office is expected to announce perhaps as early as tomorrow the criminal investigators who will undertake the investigation of the findings of the Independent Authority Against Corruption report on the book 'Mafia State', according to Philenews sources.
According to the same sources, the Presidential office has moved in many directions and it appears that the names of those who will undertake the investigation of the most serious case involving individuals from all state institutions have been locked down.
One of the scenarios being examined is a combination of a Greek lawyer with an international profile — a former judge or former Supreme Court Prosecutor — with a Cypriot lawyer. It is not ruled out that these two could be flanked by criminal investigators from the Police, as well as one of the four inspectors of the Authority who is already familiar with details of the cases.
Successive denials from criminal lawyers
According to Philenews sources, several prominent criminal lawyers in Cyprus have been sounded out, however one after another either declared a conflict of interest or refused to undertake the investigation. Characteristic is the case of a lawyer who was approached for the role of criminal investigator, but had represented or might potentially represent four of the individuals named in the report, and declared an impediment.
The Presidential office is seeking for those who will undertake the investigation to be individuals beyond suspicion of involvement, with sufficient authority, so that the outcome cannot be disputed. Given that the investigation covers individuals from the former President of the Republic to a former minister and former Assistant Attorney General, the terms of reference that will be given will be of broad scope and great temporal depth.
Announcement possibly at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated yesterday that the appointment of the criminal investigators will take place as soon as possible, possibly at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. What remains, according to sources, is for the name of the Cypriot former judicial officer or lawyer who will participate to be finalised.
It is recalled that following the recusal of the Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General from handling the case, the Prosecutorial Council — which comprises the six prosecutors of the Legal Service — decided last week to transmit both reports in their entirety and all accompanying documents to the Police and to the Cabinet, so that the prescribed procedures can be initiated.
The individuals named in the report
In the Authority's report it is recorded that from the investigation there emerges a possibility of criminal offences being committed by former President Nicos Anastasiades, two lawyers from his office, a former judge, former Assistant Attorney General Rikko Erotokritou, former minister Nicos Kougiali, a Russian businessman, two companies and others. A list of current and former state officials involved in the case will also be investigated by the Tax Department.
Source: Philenews