Journalist Makarios Drousiotis accuses Cypriot authorities of harassment

Journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis has publicly accused the Christodoulides administration of harassment and the criminalization of the publishing process. On August 17, 2026, Drousiotis reported that the police headquarters' Criminal Investigation Department (TAE) summoned his book designer and editor for questioning regarding his book "Kratos Mafia" (Mafia State). The investigation relates to a complaint of personal data violation filed by a Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP) officer four years after the book's initial publication.

In addition to his publishing staff, Drousiotis stated that his 85-year-old father-in-law, who has no involvement with the publication, was also summoned for questioning. A printer associated with the book was also called to testify but has not yet appeared due to being abroad. Drousiotis characterized these actions as tactics typical of authoritarian regimes, suggesting the government is extending its pressure beyond journalistic content to include the technical and editorial aspects of his work.

The investigation remains ongoing, with the author highlighting the long interval between the book's release and these sudden police actions as evidence of systematic pressure against his professional activities.