Investigative journalist Makarios Drousiotis, whose trilogy of books stirred a wave of controversy after his writings described Cyprus as a mafia state embroiled in corruption, has lodged an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over “illegal surveillance and interference with electronic devices and documents”.

Drousiotis said this was a violation of his right for the protection of private life, freedom of expression and effective appeal.

In his appeal, Drousiotis says he suffered “illegal surveillance, intimidation and a likely state-sponsored campaign to silence his research work”.

He also reports a “blatantly ineffective police investigation, which was characterised by professional neglect, delays, loss of evidence and misleading information, including the failure to secure crucial evidence from Google, due to insufficient support from the Cypriot authorities of a relevant request for legal assistance from the American authorities”.

According to Drousiotis, “the misuse of spy technology and the failure to investigate have left him and other vulnerable citizens exposed, while the authorities protect the corrupt.”

In July 2022, the ECHR ruled against the Republic of Cyprus in the appeal by Drousiotis that there was a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding freedom of expression and awarded Drousiotis €12,000 for moral damages and €5,362.50 for court costs.