Newsroom
Journalist Makarios Drousiotis has appealed to members of the public for financial assistance as he prepares to defend himself in several legal proceedings connected to his journalistic work.
Drousiotis says he is facing significant legal costs as he prepares to appear before the Assize Court over 80 charges concerning the publication of false news linked to the case involving the so-called “Santi” messages.
He rejects the allegations, describing the proceedings as an attempt to punish him for material published in his book “Mafia State”. He has characterised the case as a frame-up and an alleged effort to cover up information revealed through his work.
The police have previously maintained that the messages published by Drousiotis are fake. Drousiotis has also publicly said that he no longer supports allegations he had initially made against a former judge concerning paedophilia.
A separate investigation is now also under way concerning “Mafia State”. According to Drousiotis, the Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department is examining a complaint relating to the publication of personal data, four years after the book was released.
He says investigators have sought statements from the book’s editor and designer, as well as its printer. Drousiotis has questioned why individuals involved in producing the book should be questioned over its contents and has accused authorities of putting pressure on his associates.
Police: Investigation followed a complaint
Police have rejected the suggestion that the investigation into “Mafia State” was launched independently by the force.
In response to a recent social media post by Drousiotis, police said the investigation followed the submission of a complaint and an assessment of the material placed before the competent authorities.
The force said investigators were acting within their legal powers and carrying out the required procedures while respecting the rights of everyone involved and the presumption of innocence.
Police added that the investigation remains ongoing and declined to provide further details.
Drousiotis had made his appeal for financial support after raising the issue of the new criminal investigation. In his post, he accused authorities of attempting to intimidate people who worked with him and argued that the proceedings amounted to an attempt to criminalise investigative journalism.
His latest appeal comes as he prepares to deal with both the existing charges over the “Santi” messages and the separate investigation concerning “Mafia State”.
