Fitiris to seek independent investigators amid scrutiny of police handling

Justice Minister Costas Fitiris is expected to move forward with a proposal for the appointment of independent criminal investigators, as concerns grow over the handling of allegations linked to Makarios Drousiotis and the impact on public confidence in the investigative process.

Fitiris is due to brief President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday, before presenting the proposal to cabinet.

According to news outlet Reporter, the initiative is intended to ensure that the investigation proceeds without any perception of bias and to address concerns that “the rule of law is not questioned”.

Speaking on CyBC radio, deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou stated that “all possibilities are being considered, including the appointment of a criminal investigator, if necessary from abroad” to ensure any investigation can act “free of interference”.

Questions have been raised about whether police acted promptly and whether the process has been sufficiently safeguarded from external influence.

The case centres in part on testimony linked to a woman referred to as “Sandy”.

Her lawyer, Nikos Clerides, said she remains unwilling to give a statement, describing her as “in a state of confusion” and “under a state of fear”.

He said “she has not changed her mind”, while acknowledging that the current publicity may be affecting her position or perhaps be acting “under duress”.

Clerides said he had encouraged her to report allegations when they first arose but stressed that it is not possible to compel her to testify about events from many years ago.

“You can’t force a girl to reveal things that happened so many years ago,” he said, referring to sexual abuse allegations dating back to her early teens.

He confirmed that he intends to provide authorities with evidence in his possession, including messages attributed to his client.

He also stated that more than 90 per cent of the messages “have nothing to do with the issue of alleged paedophilia” but instead refer to other matters involving individuals and institutional corruption.

Investigators collected a large volume of SMS messages on a USB file from Clerides’ office in Nicosia yesterday.

The material is expected to be forensically examined to determine its authenticity, and whether it can be corroborated through independent sources.

The messages are believed to correspond to material already referenced by Drousiotis, with further statements anticipated from individuals named in connection with them.

The handling of the case by police has drawn increasing scrutiny, as authorities initially indicated that Drousiotis had not provided “documented evidence” capable of initiating a criminal investigation, stating that what had been submitted was a descriptive text rather than formal evidence.

Drousiotis has maintained that he possesses material supporting his claims, leading to conflicting statements over the adequacy of what was provided.

Legal observers have questioned whether police could have acted on their own initiative, while reported leaks relating to alleged statements attributed to “Sandy” have raised additional concerns.

These included claims that she disputed aspects of the allegations and the authenticity of certain material.

 Clerides said that if such information originated from the police, “our trust in the impartial and reliable investigation collapses”.

President Nikos Christodoulides had previously indicated that the cabinet is prepared to intervene if required.