Key witness refuses to testify over Drousiotis’ sexual misconduct allegations

A central figure in a widening corruption and collusion scandal declined to testify on Friday, with her lawyer stating she is unwilling to be drawn further into the case.

The woman, referred to as Sandy, has returned to Cyprus after spending time abroad and is seeking to rebuild a normal life with her three children.

According to lawyer Nikos Clerides, she “does not wish to testify to the police” regarding allegations made public by journalist Makarios Drousiotis, nor does she want her identity disclosed.

“She is trying to live a quiet life, and is now in a state of panic and impasse,” Clerides said.

The case centres on serious claims of a clandestine cabal, involving high ranking political, business and judicial figures which Drousiotis has alleged is supported by extensive material.

Clerides confirmed that ‘Sandy’ had first approached him in 2019, providing information that later formed the basis of the public allegations.

At the time, he believed the claims “needed to be investigated” but, citing their scale and sensitivity, shared them only with individuals he trusted, including Drousiotis and contacts abroad linked to transparency work.

He maintained that the material should not be handed to local authorities without safeguards.

“I have absolutely no confidence in the police nor the legal service and I do not believe that they will receive an objective investigation,” he said, arguing instead that the matter should be examined by GRECO, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body.

Justice Minister Costas Fitiris on Friday said the case “must be clarified as soon as possible so that such allegations are not floating around”, confirming that a police team has already been appointed to investigate once evidence is formally submitted.

He said the probe must be “reliable and thorough” and concluded as quickly as possible.

Fitiris rejected calls for foreign investigators to take over the case, saying institutions “must be trusted and not replaced”, while leaving open the possibility of seeking external technical expertise if required.

“We cannot bring foreign criminal investigators to conduct direct investigations,” he said, adding that any such need would be assessed during the inquiry.

He also stressed that those making allegations cannot dictate how investigations are carried out, saying “conditions cannot be imposed” on the process.

Clerides also revealed that both he and others who handled the information have received threats, describing the situation as “dynamite that has the potential to blow the whole thing wide open” if proven true.

He added that the risks surrounding the case have contributed to his client’s reluctance to come forward publicly.

While expressing concern over the way the allegations were released, he said he understood Drousiotis’ actions, citing reported threats against the journalist’s life.

Shortly before giving testimony, Drousiotis published photographs he claims support his allegations, writing that he was “getting ready” for his deposition and responding to reports that some individuals involved intended to file complaints against him for false information and seek his compulsory hospitalisation.

He said he was “obliged to publish” material including what he described as a €275,000 transfer linked to a joint account between former judge Michalakis Christodoulou and ‘Sandy’ with images of cash accompanied by a handwritten note, presenting them as evidence tied to the claims.

Former supreme court judge Michalakis Christodoulou confirmed he knew the woman, describing his role as supportive, saying he “tried to support her like a father”.

He has denied the accusation that he “raped Sandy while she was underage and sired three children with her” and said he would address the matter fully with police.

“My cell phone and everything are at their disposal,” he said, while strongly rejecting allegations of sexual misconduct as fabricated.

The developments come as individuals named in the claims continue to reject the accusations.

Political tensions have also intensified, with party reactions highlighting divisions over how the allegations should be handled.

Calls have been made for all evidence to be formally submitted to authorities, warning that public claims without substantiation risk becoming “mudslinging and slander”.