There was no shortage of sarcasm and harsh tones at the press conference held by former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and in the questions that followed from journalists.

The former President’s request for the immediate appointment of an independent criminal investigator and prosecutor was met with a sarcastic remark, as he said “I hope that with what I am asking for, I will not face a new accusation that I am exerting undue pressure or committing the offense of abuse of power.”

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At the start of the question-and-answer session, Mr. Anastasiades referred to the circumstances under which his transport on Lebedev’s private plane took place.
“I was going to France. There was a strike by the French civil aviation sector, and Mr. Lebedev’s plane—it doesn’t matter whether it was provided to me or not. Because he was a client of the agency, it was to be flown to Geneva for maintenance, and he offered to take me either there or to Paris so that I could travel—since private planes were allowed to use a specific airport—and I went, thus saving the Republic of Cyprus money. What’s the problem?”

As for the trip on Ribolovlev’s private jet, he stated that “that was an emergency return to Cyprus. Moreover, it is up to the findings of the investigating officials to determine whether Mr. Drousiotis’s allegations or the charges against me are acceptable or not. In fact, I also pointed out that there was confusion regarding the arrest—as if it were a quid pro quo for the arrest, and so on—with explicit and specific references.”

Subsequently, in response to a journalist’s comment that the Anti-Corruption Authority states that, although you were asked to do so, you did not produce any evidence, Mr. Anastasiadis replied that “First of all, let me clarify that when someone is accused, the burden of proof for any other allegation lies with the accuser. This is the first time I’ve heard that when someone calls you an elephant, you have to prove that you’re not an elephant.”

When asked whether he dismisses everything that has been reported as lies or figments of the imagination—with the reporter referring to the two years of investigations and the Pandora Papers— the former President remarked, “Excuse me, but it’s not up to me to decide what is a lie and what isn’t. It is the findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority, which, out of all the allegations, focused on seven categories—that is, seven alleged offenses—which are not included in everything you’re saying.”

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When asked about a comment suggesting that the Authority’s conclusions link all state institutions to conclude that corruption exists, the former President replied, “But I’m sorry—did you really see evidence of corruption in the findings? The president is accused of seven offenses that aren’t even mentioned in the book *State Mafia*. I was not questioned. Listen—if you truly wish, in good faith, to be informed, listen to the answers; and if you wish, believe what you will; if you wish, stick to what you have already believed.”

In response to a journalist’s question about the issue of assigning responsibility for the “golden passports,” the former President replied, among other things, in a forceful tone: “Who said that responsibility shouldn’t be assigned? Who said that no criminal charges have been brought against those who abused the system? Why was the program abolished in 2020?” When a journalist attempted to interrupt, Mr. Anastasiades stated, “Please let me speak; should I answer, or do you want to ask the questions and answer them yourself?”

As for whether the issue of presidential immunity arises, the former President emphasized that “I do not believe there is an issue of immunity, but even if there were, I would certainly waive it.”

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Subsequently, in response to a question regarding the Rikkos Erotokritou case and his failure to mention it during the press conference, Mr. Anastasiades replied that “this (i.e., the question) shows that you haven’t read my book *The Slanderer* at all or that you’re too indifferent to even glance at it.”

Mr. Anastasiades then went on to cite passages from his book, stating, “Take a look at what I say about the relationship between Erotokritos and Costas Clerides. If I have ever been unfair to Costas Clerides—in terms of how I attributed their differences and to whom I assigned responsibility—then you’ll be in a better position to ask me, so that you won’t form unfounded impressions.”

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