Journalist Makarios Drousiotis under scrutiny over public allegations

Journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis has announced that he will soon meet with police to present evidence regarding serious public allegations he made online, which have caused political tension in Cyprus. Drousiotis has stated he intends to cooperate with authorities, though he previously refrained from filing formal complaints, citing a lack of police initiative. Meanwhile, candidate Dimitris Papadakis, who was implicated in the journalist's posts, has denied all allegations, labeling them as fabrication. Papadakis has filed a complaint against Drousiotis for spreading false news and has submitted his mobile phone to authorities for forensic examination. Police spokesperson Byron Byronos confirmed that authorities are awaiting Drousiotis’s testimony and evidence. The government and the Legal Service are monitoring the situation, with officials urging the journalist to submit his materials to facilitate a formal investigation. Drousiotis maintains that his shared messages are authentic and has repeatedly suggested the appointment of foreign investigators, fearing that domestic authorities might attempt to dismiss his claims.