Christofides on 'golden' passports: 'No conflict of interest for Yiolitis'

Kathimerini.com.cy

On Wednesday morning (22/02), AKEL MP Christos Christofides was interviewed on Sigma's "Mesimeri kai Kati" program, where he discussed the progress of the Anti-Corruption Commission's investigations into allegations of "golden" passports.

Christofides referred to a very difficult effort and explained that at the moment "we are at the stage where an investigating officer will be appointed, at least for the first two complaints".

Concerning the President of the Republic's conflict of interest with Cabinet members, Christofides stated that there will be a "bundling up" along with other complaints made by the Auditor General or others. According to him, 353 passports were issued by law firms that are directly or indirectly related to the President of the Republic or members of the Cabinet.

"As the investigation progresses, there is also the case of Ms. Yioliti, who issued a small number of passports with the law firm with which she was working before she took office as Minister," he said.

When asked if he could confirm that none of the seven passports issued by Ms. Yoliti were obtained illegally and that they were not being investigated for any legal issues, he stated that the passports were issued before she became a minister, so there is no conflict of interest.

Finally, he stated that the Commission has received information about a case in which a person made contributions to DISY but was a co-conspirator of a person who received a passport.