Cabinet appoints new criminal investigator for Mafia State case

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Cypriot Cabinet officially appointed criminologist Ilias Anagnostopoulos as the fifth member of the independent investigative team probing the 'Mafia State' allegations. He replaces Christos Mylonopoulos, who resigned following controversy over potential conflicts of interest related to his past legal work. Anagnostopoulos has also faced scrutiny for his legal representation of Tal Dilian, though the government maintains there is no conflict of interest. The investigation follows a major inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Authority, which involved approximately 150 witnesses and 200 hearings. The Cabinet has provided a fully equipped space and administrative staff to facilitate the team's work, which is expected to begin early next week. The Attorney General and his deputy have recused themselves from the process, and legal guidance will be provided by a separate team within the Law Office. Meanwhile, opposition figures and legal representatives have raised concerns about the handling of the report, citing potential leaks and risks to witness security. Police are waiting for the official publication of the appointment to provide requested support to the independent investigators.