**NICOSIA** – The civic movement 'Alithia-Citizens for Cyprus' (Álma) has strongly criticised President Nikos Christodoulides, accusing him of sidestepping pertinent questions and seeking to legitimise practices that transgress established legal and institutional boundaries. The censure follows the President's recent pronouncements regarding the contentious "black donations scandal," which has cast a shadow over political financing and the procurement of foreign investment.
In a pointed press release issued yesterday, Álma articulated its profound disappointment with the President's rhetoric, asserting that he is attempting to normalise activities that are patently outside the legal framework and potentially criminal. The movement specifically highlighted the President's acknowledgment that his own brother-in-law, Charalambos Charalambous, who also serves as his Office Director, alongside political confidant Giorgos Lakkotrypis, were involved in the processes of attracting and licensing foreign investors. Álma contends that the President's effort to frame these involvements as mere "investment promotion" or "corporate social responsibility" initiatives is a disingenuous attempt to sanitise questionable dealings.
The crux of Álma's accusation lies in what it perceives as the President's deliberate conflation of distinct, yet equally problematic, practices. By drawing a parallel between the now-discredited "golden passport" scheme, intended to attract foreign investment, and the alleged "black donations" for similar purposes, the movement argues that the President is effectively providing a veneer of legitimacy to illicit or potentially criminal activities. This, Álma posits, amounts to an institutionalisation of politically unacceptable conduct, effectively beautifying actions that should be subject to stringent legal scrutiny.
Further substantiating their claims, Álma drew attention to a specific video excerpt wherein the President's relative is heard suggesting to an investor a clandestine arrangement. The transcript, as reiterated by Álma, indicates the offer of financial contributions for "Corporate Social Responsibility" purposes in direct exchange for the expediting of "work." This alleged quid pro quo, Álma argues, exemplifies the very type of ethically compromised transaction that the President appears to be attempting to downplay.
The movement further inferred that the President's current approach mirrors that of his predecessor, Nicos Anastasiades, suggesting a continuity in the justification of ethically dubious practices within the corridors of power. Álma’s stance underscores a broader concern within Cypriot civil society regarding transparency and accountability in political dealings, particularly those involving significant financial flows and foreign investment. The accusations levelled against the President not only challenge the integrity of his administration's handling of financial impropriety but also raise significant questions about the erosion of institutional probity and adherence to the rule of law. The implications of this controversy could resonate deeply, potentially impacting public trust and the future trajectory of governance in Cyprus.