Averof received funds from Russian oligarchs, says Nikolas

Source: Kathimerini.com.cy

Phedonas Phedonos has mentioned Averof Neofytou in relation to his complaint about Russian oligarchs financing a candidate, says DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos.

According to a statement made by Papadopoulos on RIK's "PM" program, "Mr. Neofytou is the only one who has been proven to have received money from Russian oligarchs."

When asked what he was referring to, the DIKO President replied "to the funding of the DISY party by Russian oligarchs who got passports. It is a fact that the DISY party has admitted it."

The show's reporter added that, according to DISY, these payoffs had nothing to do with passports, but the DIKO President stated otherwise. "They were not unrelated. Those who received passports contributed to the DISY party. They could not have given money in a more acceptable way.  As a result, Mr. Neofytou and the DISY party face a major political issue because they reportedly received money from Russian oligarchs in exchange for citizenship and passports. Mr. Christodoulides has not accepted any funds from Russian oligarchs."

Papadopoulos declined to comment on whether Mr. Christodoulides will reveal his donors "There are specific laws governing the presentation of data as well as the income and expenses of all candidates. These earnings and expenses will be reported to the Auditor General and the Registrar of Political Parties, an audit will be conducted, a report will be presented, the Auditor General will present conclusions, as has been done in the past, and Nikos Christodoulides will fully comply with the relevant legislation. And, of course, he believes in transparency in terms of the presentation of this campaign's election expenditures and revenues."

[This article was translated from its Greek original]