A political “storm” and partisan reactions were sparked by the conflict of interest involving two of the five criminal investigators appointed just yesterday by the Council of Ministers, to investigate the findings of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority regarding Makarios Drousiotis’s book “Mafia State,” which alleges potential criminal offenses against former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and 14 other legal and natural persons. They are:

• Christos Mylonopoulos, Professor Emeritus of Criminal Law at the University of Athens. He served as the defense attorney for Michael Zolotas in response to the Cypriot authorities’ request for his extradition from Greece to investigate the Focus case.
• Dimitris Tsolakidis, Criminal Law Attorney and Member of the Criminal Justice Committee of the Cyprus Bar Association. He was one of the officials at the Anti-Corruption Authority who investigated financial contributions to DISY through “golden passports.”

SEE ALSO: Letympiotis Confirms: The Government Knew About Mylonopoulos’ Conflict of Interest

Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, DISY MP Xenia Konstantinou and AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides highlighted the need for greater seriousness and responsibility on the partthe government regarding the selection of individuals entrusted with such crucial matters. They also noted that no one doubts the integrity and professionalism of the members of the investigative team, however, the three weeks that have passed were sufficient to conduct a more thorough investigation.

DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou rejected criticism of a “lukewarm stance” and explained that DIKO is the only party that did not receive funding from Focus—unlike DISY and AKEL—and has every right to demand a full investigation of the case.

SEE ALSO: Investigators into “Mafia State”: Controversies and Questions About Conflicts of Interest

Lawyers Achilleas Dimitriadis and Simos Angelidis expressed serious concerns about whether Mr. Mylonopoulos can recuse himself, as he himself stated, from the chapter concerning the investigation of the Focus case. They highlighted the risk of “compromising” the investigative and interrogation process, while noting that such situations intensify the public’s sense of distrust toward institutions.

SEE ALSO: AKEL: Resignation of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General Is the Only Way to Restore Integrity

Invited to appear on the “Alpha Enimerosi” program to respond to the parties’ allegations, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou explained that the terms of reference for the team of criminal investigators include oversight of the process by the Police. At the same time, he revealed that Mr. Mylonopoulos was chosen by the team’s leader, Mr. Skouris. He also stated that prior to their appointment by the Council of Ministers, Mr. Mylonopoulos had contacted Mr. Skouris and informed him that, in order to agree to participate in the investigation, he had made it a condition that he not be involved in the Focus case.

“This aspect was brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, and since Mr. Skouris himself raised no substantive objection, we adopted his recommendation to appoint Mr. Mylonopoulos. This was not something we learned after the fact; he made sure to tell us himself.”

Lawyers Christos Clerides and Christoforos Christofis analyzed the complexity of the issue that arises arising from the Attorney General’s recusal from the proceedings, given that he has sole authority to appoint a private prosecutor to bring the case to trial.

READ ALSO: Before the Cabinet Meeting… Think Twice: Impediments and Conflict of Interest for Two Criminal Investigators of the “State Mafia”

AKEL MP Argentoulla Ioannou, DIKO MP Giorgos Solomou, and “Alma” Movement MP Michalis Paraskevas crossed swords over the issue of the resignation of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, as demanded by the opposition to ensure the objectivity and validity of the criminal investigation.

SEE ALSO: These are the five criminal investigators appointed by the Cabinet for the “Mafia State” case