‘From witness to defendant’

At an August 22 hearing held by the inquiry committee into the causes of the economic crisis, former Cyprus president Dimitris Christofias, who was called to testify as a witness, refused to answer questions, reports Politis.

Christofias insisted that he should be permitted to read out a 50-page statement. The commission refused to allow the document to be read, arguing that the ex-president was resorting to spoiling tactics. It also pointed out that the incident would be referred to the island’s attorney general.

Having walked out of the hearing, Christofias called a press conference to read out his statement, in which he rejected responsibility for the banking crisis, and instead blamed the central bank and Cypriot banking institutions.
In the light of his refusal to testify, Christofias may face charges that are punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of €5,000. His successor, Nicos Anastasiades, is to appear before the commission on August 26.