Former Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades is set to release his first book, Sykofantis (=Slanderer), later this month. The 500-page publication, according to the former President, aims to respond to accusations made against him in Kratos Mafia (=Mafia State), a book written by his former associate, journalist Makarios Drousiotis.
Anastasiades told Politis newspaper that Sykofantis will counter these allegations with documents and letters as evidence. He also revealed that the book would serve as part of his defence before the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, as it will be published prior to his appearance before the Committee and submitted as evidence. However, he clarified that he has not yet received a formal summons to testify.
Drousiotis accuses Anastasiades of falsehoods
The upcoming release has already sparked controversy, with Drousiotis publicly denouncing the book as an attempt by Anastasiades to manipulate his legacy. In a post on X, Drousiotis accused the former President of fabricating stories and using slander to shape public perception of his tenure.
Ο τ. Πρόεδρος πλάθει ιστορίες με συκοφάντες
— MAKARIOS DROUSIOTIS (@makdrou) February 6, 2025
‼️«Ούτε οι διαρροές, ούτε το βιβλίο, ούτε οι αγωγές, μήτε οι απειλές που εισπράττω θα με αποτρέψουν από του να λέω και να γράφω την αλήθεια».
▶️Σήμερα η εφημερίδα «Πολίτης» δημοσιεύει πληροφορίες για το τι θα περιλαμβάνει το βιβλίο… pic.twitter.com/wqUYhBIeHw
” ‘Neither leaks, nor the book, nor lawsuits, nor the threats I receive will deter me from speaking and writing the truth.’ Today, Politis newspaper published information about the contents of the book that Mr Anastasiades has been announcing for some time. This particular journalist has been focusing on me for months. The other day, he spoke with Mr Anastasiades’ lawyer, and today he writes that he spoke with Anastasiades himself. He never contacted me or my lawyer… Politis headlines claim that Anastasiades “provides documented responses to the false accusations made against him in books by his former associate.” Whether they are false will become evident once the investigation is completed, hence the panic. According to the report, Mr Anastasiades will submit his book to the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. I hope he does not use the book as an excuse to avoid answering the questions that are expected to be posed to him regarding all the issues that arose during the investigation. Mr Anastasiades has repeatedly referred in his statements to notes I prepared for him, which he plans to publish in his book. I hope they are presented in their original and authentic form because, judging by what is being leaked to the press, something does not add up. The well-informed Politis writes: ‘In these notes, he commented on judges, the Attorney General, the Auditor General, journalists, etc.’ I have NEVER dealt with judges. The only documents I have in my archive concerning judges are the speeches I wrote for judicial appointment ceremonies. I do have notes about the Attorney General, which relate to complaints made by Costas Clerides about Rikkos Erotokritou before the scandal that led to Erotokritou’s dismissal. I also worked on media affairs—that was my job—but there is absolutely nothing improper or undocumented. A politician who has been in the spotlight for half a century, governed the country for ten years, and is now trying to salvage his legacy by fabricating stories about slanderers is deluding himself. In short, neither leaks, nor the book, nor lawsuits, nor the threats I receive will stop me from telling and writing the truth. No matter how many loyalists he enlists, no matter how many protectors he left embedded in the power system, I will confront him with all legal means—before the Commission, in court, and in public discourse—until he is held accountable for the final blow to the Cyprus problem and financial corruption.”
His statement was prompted by a Politis newspaper report revealing content from Anastasiades’ book. Drousiotis criticised the article, stating that neither the journalist who wrote it nor Anastasiades had ever contacted him or his legal representative for comment. He described the book’s leaked details as selective and inaccurate.
Drousiotis rejected claims that he had commented on judges, stating that the only references to judges in his archives were speeches he had written for Anastasiades to deliver at judicial appointment ceremonies. However, he admitted to recording complaints from former Attorney General Costas Clerides regarding Rikkos Erotokritou before the scandal that led to Erotokritou’s dismissal.
Concerned over the book’s use in corruption investigation
According to Politis, Anastasiades intends to submit Sykofantis as evidence to the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. Drousiotis, however, expressed concerns that Anastasiades might use the book as an excuse to avoid answering questions expected to be posed during the investigation.
He also took issue with claims in Politis that the book would provide “documented responses” to the accusations against Anastasiades, stating that whether the responses were truthful would only become clear upon completion of the investigation. He suggested that the urgency surrounding the book’s publication pointed to panic on Anastasiades’ part.
Drousiotis specifically questioned whether notes he had prepared for Anastasiades, which the former President plans to publish in Sykofantis, would be presented in their original form. He warned that leaked excerpts of the book suggest manipulation and misrepresentation of facts.
Drousiotis vows to continue his fight
Despite facing lawsuits, threats, and what he described as attempts to silence him, Drousiotis vowed to continue exposing the truth. He reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the matter through the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, the justice system, and public discourse. He insisted that Anastasiades must be held accountable for financial corruption and what he described as the “final blow to the Cyprus problem.”
“A politician who has been in the spotlight for half a century, governed the country for ten years, and now tries to salvage his legacy by fabricating stories about slanderers is deluding himself,” Drousiotis declared.
He concluded his statement with a firm resolution to challenge Anastasiades through all legal means available.
“Neither leaks, nor the book, nor lawsuits, nor the threats I receive will deter me from speaking and writing the truth. No matter how many loyalists he enlists, no matter how many protectors he left embedded in the power system, I will confront him with all legal means—before the Commission, in court, and in public discourse—until he is held accountable for the final blow to the Cyprus problem and financial corruption.”
Also read: Former President Anastasiades receives EJA King Solomon award
