MP Dimitris Dimitriou had requested that Nikos Anastasiadis be removed from the collective bodies of the Democratic Alarm before he did so himself, pending the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Authority into the “Mafia State” allegations.

Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, DISY Parliamentary Spokesperson Dimitris Dimitriou, when asked whether the issue had been discussed at the Executive Bureau, he replied in the negative, stating that the discussion had focused on the elections in Aglantzia and the event marking the 50th anniversary of the Democratic Alarm.

“As for the issues raised in the report of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, what was said is that we have before us the fact—the letter sent by the former President of the Republic, Mr. Anastasiades, expressing his affection for the Democratic Rally, which, as he writes there, will not participate in the proceedings of the party’s collective bodies.”

When asked if he was reprimanded for expressing his opinion, he states:

“Obviously, within the Democratic Alarm, there is—due to its philosophy, ideology, and way of life— the freedom for every member to express their personal opinion—though, let me clarify, they did not express a personal opinion. I am third in the party hierarchy, and I do not consider that I always express a personal opinion regarding the President of the Republic.”

Mr. Dimitriou explained his position in favor of the resignation of the heads of the Legal Service, emphasizing the critical nature of the current situation.

“These are very critical times. We are experiencing unprecedented circumstances; we have never faced this situation before. That is, there is a report that implicates and attributes potential criminal offenses to a judge, a former President of the Republic, and a number of other individuals. It is so critical that it lays us bare.”

Although the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General recused themselves due to their relationship with the former President, Mr. Dimitriou argued that this “paralyzes” the Legal Service and creates a “Gordian knot” in the process.

Mr. Dimitriou identified serious gaps in how the findings were handled following the prosecutors’ recusal. He pointed out that the law stipulates that findings must be submitted to the Attorney General and not to his representatives or to informal councils.

He proposed that the best solution would be for them to step down, so that the President of the Republic could appoint a new Attorney General who would be able to coordinate and direct the investigations with full authority.

“That is why I said yesterday that the best thing would be for them to step aside. And for the President of the Republic to assume his responsibilities by appointing a new Attorney General in such an event.”

He also suggested that, if the prosecutors do not resign, the only alternative is to appoint a private attorney as prosecutor, who would lead the proceedings, citing the case of Rikkos Erotokritou as an example.

He warned that the process would take several years and that the current Attorney General would likely have retired by the time the case reaches the prosecution stage.