Police preparing case against ‘Sandy’ – reports

The police are preparing a criminal case against the woman at the centre of accusations made by journalist Makarios Drousiotis, according to reports on Tuesday.

Newspaper Politis reported that the woman, who is known only as ‘Sandy’, could be charged with a total of six offences, including the preparation, possession, and circulation of forged documents, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

The reports come after police spokesman Vyron Vyronos had confirmed earlier in the day that ‘Sandy’ has already given a statement to the police, with Politis reporting that she had told the police that the material publicised by Drousiotis had been fabricated.

Earlier, officers had already searched the home and office of her lawyer, Nikos Clerides, with the police defending that decision on Sunday following criticism from Clerides himself.

“At this stage, the primary goal is to fully clarify the case and reveal the truth, so as to restore public trust. There is no targeting of individuals, as all actions are carried out exclusively on the basis of assessed testimony and in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures,” they said.

The warrant had been issued in light of Drousiotis’ allegations, which centre on a claim that former supreme court judge Michalakis Christodoulou had raped ‘Sandy’ and fathered three of her children.

However, Clerides’ brother, former bar association chairman Christos Clerides, had on Saturday accused the authorities of acting in a manner akin to “terrorism”, and asked why the police have not searched the property of Christodoulou or the woman, who thus far has been referred to only as ‘Sandy’.

Christos Clerides said on this matter that “Cyprus has become a dictatorship”, while accusing the police of acting selectively.

Christodoulou maintains his innocence, saying that he had “acted like a father” to ‘Sandy’, while other figures named by Drousiotis, including former MEP Demetris Papadakis and Edek deputy leader Morfakis Solomonides, both of whom he alleges to have “acted on the behest of Christodoulou as informants and interlocutors”, have denied the allegations.

Papadakis also gave a statement to the police last week, accusing Drousiotis of publishing false news and circulating false documents, before calling a fresh press conference on Wednesday to once again state that he is innocent.

Later, Nikos Clerides insinuated that he fears for his life in the aftermath of the allegations’ surfacing, saying, “I feel like I’m in danger”, and adding, “I don’t want anyone to think I’m suicidal”.

Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, meanwhile, said that evidence gathered in connection with the case will be forwarded to the European Union agency for law enforcement (Europol).