First lady Andri Anastisiades and the Cypriot Archbishopric are in the spotlight in Cyprus after a newspaper questioned the conditions of a land deal between them.
According to Wednesday’s Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, Mrs Anastasiades last February paid the Archbishopric only €500,000 for a 1,739 sq m residential property in the high-class residential area of Mesovounia in Yermasoyia, Limassol, while referring to independent appraisers that estimated its current market value at €870,000.
The transaction, which was signed off by the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, drew considerable attention on the island, prompting a written statement from the Archbishopric expressing dismay at the article and denying any suggestion of inappropriate behavior. “The sale to Mrs. Anastasiades was made in the conditions of the free market, considering the current economic environment, the property’s current value and its specific characteristics and therefore nothing questionable has taken place.”
The Archbishop went on the offensive, accusing the paper of trying to mislead the public.
The first lady also issued a brief response, expressing her surprise at the piece and suggesting that “an effort is being made to turn a legal private transaction into a political issue.”
Later on Wednesday, President Nicos Anastasiades issued a written statement himself, defending his track record of honesty and deeming that “it constitutes indecency for such matters to be used in petty politics and settling political and business disputes.”
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