“In a well-governed state, no citizen is above the law. At the same time, neither is the justice system above criticism. A citizen who breaks the law is prosecuted. And a justice system that operates unfairly is subject to judgment.” This is stated, among other things, in a press release by the Journalists’ Union, which ultimately chose to take a stance on the highly publicized case.
When criminal charges were filed against journalist Makarios Drousiotis in connection with the “Santi” case, the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Journalists’ Union examined the matter thoroughly but concluded that any public statement on its part would be perceived as interference in the work of the judiciary, the CUA notes, further explaining that “this is why it did not do so and faced harsh criticism as a result.”
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However, it continues, “in the days that followed, Makarios Drousiotis found himself facing a second criminal case. This time, it was regarding his book *State Mafia*. And immediately afterward, the journalist in question began to be investigated criminally for a third case as well! Within just a few days, Makarios Drousiotis is under criminal investigation for three different cases and faces three different criminal charges: a) spreading false news, b) Violation of personal data, and c) Conducting an illegal fundraiser. The Board of Directors of the Cyprus Journalists’ Union is following these developments with deep concern and, along with the rest of Cypriot society, asks: “Is the suspicion that this particular journalist is being targeted by the authorities reasonable or unreasonable?”
The Cyprus Journalists’ Union emphasizes that the Cypriot justice system “cannot strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! It cannot display inexcusable negligence and slowness in one instance and excessive haste and speed in another. The Cypriot justice system must also ensure equality before the law.”
“When a journalist faces criminal prosecution, the dangers lurking for freedom of expression are visible, tangible, and predictable. The Board of Directors of the Cyprus Journalists’ Union will closely monitor the outcome of the entire case and will address the matter again whenever it deems necessary,” the CJU concludes.
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