The high-profile nature of Nikos Anastasiadis’s case is the main reason why prominent lawyers are hesitant to take on the case
More than two years of investigations, a massive amount of evidence gathered, and hundreds of man-hours spent— the investigations into the “State Mafia” and the corruption charges against Nikos Anastasiadis are essentially back to square one. The reason for this is essentially the removal of investigative powers from the Anti-Corruption Authority. Another major debate is expected to begin in Parliament this coming September. The investigations must therefore start from scratch, in order to determine whether a case will be brought before the courts, with the outcome serving as a litmus test for public trust in the institutions. The President’s goal is to finalize the appointment of independent criminal investigators before the next cabinet meeting this coming Wednesday. Nikos Christodoulides and members of the Cabinet are racing against the clock to find suitable candidates from the shortlist that has been drawn up.
A prominent name
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
However, from the initial evaluation of experienced legal professionals and former judges who were proposed to lead the investigation into potential criminal offenses involving Nikos Anastasiadis, obstacles emerged. Prominent legal experts who were approached cited conflicts of interest or a special relationship with the former President of the Republic or with any of the other 14 individuals and legal entities included in the report. Others expressed reservations due to the status of the person under investigation, who has access everywhere—as does his law firm—and requested time to make a decision. It cannot be ruled out that a figure of recognized standing from abroad—possibly from Greece—who is also fluent in the language may ultimately be appointed as head.
Self-sabotage…
The decision by the leadership of the Legal Service to assign responsibility for the investigation to the Prosecutorial Council has derailed the process. In turn, the Prosecutors’ Council shirked its responsibilities and passed the buck to the Cabinet, which is now called upon to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. What the prosecutors could have done—but did not do—to free the authorities to act, was to appoint a private prosecutor, who in this case would have assumed their role as legal counsel to the state. The prosecutor would issue instructions to the criminal investigators on how to handle the case in place of the prosecutors who recused themselves and would bring the case before the court. For the time being, the state’s legal counsel is staying out of the matter, while the appointment of a public prosecutor is still under discussion. The police are also adopting a wait-and-see approach; they have the investigation report and are awaiting instructions. The atmosphere is heavily against the prosecutors. Following AKEL, ALMA, Volt, the Greens, and Direct Democracy are calling for their resignation.
Internal Strife in DISY
The “Mafia State” is plunging Pindarou into introversion, despite the message of unity that the DISY leadership sought to send and Anita Dimitriou’s appeal to avoid public statements. The appeals fell on deaf ears. Chris Triantafyllides launched a front against Efthymios Diplaros after the DISY vice president offered his full support to Nicos Anastasiades. The chairman of the DISY Legal Council called on Anita Dimitriou to clarify the party’s official position. This was preceded by parliamentary spokesperson Dimitris Dimitriou, who, immediately after the press conference held by Nicos Anastasiades, called on the former President of the Republic to make things easier for the party—which he did a few hours later by announcing his withdrawal from the party’s collective bodies until the matter is clarified. The attacks and pressure on the historic leader of the Right had already begun over the weekend, both from Annita Dimitriou through third parties, as well as from other figures in the party leadership in person. Taking it a step further, former DISY MP Christos Pourgourides called on the party leadership to remove Nicos Anastasiades from collective bodies, citing clear-cut acts of corruption by the former President of the Republic that are undisputed and not under investigation. Referring, among other things, to the handling by the law firm bearing his name applications for the granting of citizenship to foreigners, which were subsequently reviewed by the Council of Ministers, which he chaired.
