Christodoulides: ‘I will give no one the right to accuse me of corruption’

In a counterattack after being accused of breaking the law over presidential campaign finances, President Nikos Christodoulides stressed on Friday he would allow no one to accuse him of corruption and challenged anyone with evidence to come forward with it.

“Anyone in possession of evidence regarding any direct or indirect bribery should immediately submit it to the state authorities,” Christodoulides said.

He added that “foreign companies coming to Cyprus to invest must also contribute social benefits, within the framework of corporate social responsibility, for the state.”

“I want to make a public call to anyone in possession of evidence regarding any direct or indirect bribery during the preelection campaign or during my tenure as president of the republic, to submit it immediately to the state authorities,” he said.

“I have said it many time and I will repeat it today. I will give no one – no one at all – the right to accuse me of corruption,” the president stressed.

He added that he would be continuing the effort to attract investments, “which I began on day one”.

“I will continue because it is to the benefit of our country and I am glad that this effort is producing results. And we saw the results of my trip to the USA today [Friday] with the announcement of the American investments in our country. And, yes, in the framework of these investments, these companies coming, yes, must make social contributions as well in the framework of corporate social responsibility, for the state – I reiterate – for the state,” he said.

Christodoulides explained that “they do this in the sectors of health, the welfare state, defence and many other sectors.”