The government is firing back at AKEL regarding the appointment of criminal investigators for the “Mafia State,” with Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis accusing the left-wing party of political manipulation.

“Those who invoke institutional credibility only when it serves their political interests cannot claim to uphold it. It is regrettable that the AKEL leadership is attempting to politically exploit a process that is, par excellence, legal and institutional, even before it has begun. Even more regrettable—if not dangerous— is to publicly prejudge the outcome of an independent investigation, to discredit individuals of recognized standing, and to create unfair impressions based on insinuations.”

At the same time, Mr. Letympiotis notes that it is, at the very least, ironic “that those who have proven they interpret findings, procedures, and court rulings as they see fit. The very same people who, when the findings of an investigation did not suit them, spoke of independent investigators exceeding the terms of their mandate, now present themselves as defenders of institutional credibility.”

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The institutional order does not function through shouting, insinuations, and preconceived conclusions, the Spokesperson adds, noting that “if AKEL’s leadership has specific evidence, there is only one course of action: to submit it to the appropriate authorities so that it can be evaluated through institutional channels. What cannot be accepted is the transformation of a serious investigative process into a partisan arena for creating public impressions.”

“In a state governed by the rule of law, a lawyer is not stigmatized for having performed his or her duties in a previous case. Equating the lawyer with his client is a dangerous slippery slope and violates fundamental principles of justice.”

The Government’s position is clear: a full investigation, without interference, without compromises, and without any shadows of doubt. We fully respect the presumption of innocence, and for us, no one is above the law. This is the fundamental principle of a democracy that functions institutionally and not selectively, concludes Mr. Letympiotis.