Nicos Anastasiades

Nicos Anastasiades, former President of Cyprus (2013 to 2023), is the subject of a June 2026 report by Cyprus’ Independent Authority Against Corruption that identifies reasonable suspicion of potential criminal liability. The probe, initiated following allegations in the book Mafia State, encompasses seven cases involving potential abuse of power, trading in influence, and bribery. Key allegations include: Abuse of power in the Focus Maritime investigation by pressuring the Attorney General to halt inquiries. Influence peddling regarding a €250,000 transaction from Laiki Bank, allegedly disguised as introducer fees to fund his 2013 election campaign. Institutional interference by publicly ordering an investigation into his own law firm by the anti-money laundering unit, MOKAS, to protect his image. Intervention in land registry decisions regarding the Dromolaxia property dispute. Involvement in fast-tracking citizenship applications for Russian oligarchs through his former law firm. Connections to a scheme facilitating the arrest of Elena Rybolovleva during divorce litigation. Alleged tax evasion by his former law firm through undeclared commissions. The Authority has forwarded its findings to the Attorney General and tax authorities for further evaluation. Anastasiades has consistently denied all wrongdoing, characterizing the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign and a "Mafia State" narrative. He has filed defamation lawsuits against the author of the accusations. The findings are based on a civil standard of proof (balance of probabilities) rather than criminal beyond-a-reasonable-doubt thresholds, and he remains innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.