Former President Nicos Anastasiades challenges findings of Anti-Corruption Authority

Former Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades released a lengthy analysis on August 24, 2026, fiercely contesting the findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority regarding the "Mafia State" investigation. Anastasiades rejected the conclusions point by point, arguing that the report is based on distorted truths, misconceptions, and the influence of a negative public climate.

The former President accused the authors and proponents of the investigation of engaging in "popular tribunals" rather than objective fact-finding. He claimed the authority's findings are disconnected from reality and serve to propagate a narrative aimed at harming his reputation. This public response marks a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the former head of state and the independent oversight body.

The controversy stems from a broader investigation into allegations of systemic corruption detailed in the book "Mafia State." As the political discourse continues to be dominated by these findings, Anastasiades remains steadfast in his defense, asserting that his analysis serves to restore the truth against what he describes as populist bias. No further court actions were specified in the reports, but the clash signifies a deepening divide in Cypriot political circles.