The Republic of Cyprus is reportedly the target of a Russian disinformation attack following the release of a video alleging corruption at the Presidential Palace. State intelligence experts have characterised the operation as an organised “hybrid operation,” according to sources within the security services who spoke to Philenews.
Disinformation: Targeted Individuals and Allegations
The video in question prominently features former minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis and presidential aide Charalambos Charalambous. It appears to have been crafted using tactics associated with a “Doppelganger” campaign, a Russian-linked disinformation strategy that has been active since 2021. This approach has previously been utilised against nations including France, Germany, and the United States, employing compromising material to politically undermine targets.
Indicators of a Coordinated Attack
Intelligence analysis has identified several key indicators suggesting Eastern European involvement:
- Linguistic Evidence: An individual posing as an investment manager approached the targets, speaking English with a noticeable Eastern European accent.
- Methodology: The video was disseminated anonymously on the platform X, presented as investigative journalism, and notably lacked any attempt to secure a right of reply from those depicted.
- Timing: The emergence of the video coincides with significant geopolitical events, including Cyprus’s assumption of the EU Council Presidency, the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and discussions with US officials regarding the “Andreas Papandreou” airbase.
Government Response and Investigation Progress
Since the video’s release, the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP) has maintained communication with the Presidential Palace. The allegations suggest that the Christodoulides administration may have engaged in illegal cash donations to surpass a €1 million campaign spending limit, potentially establishing a “pay-for-play” system for corporate interests.
Lakkotrypis, who was allegedly entangled in the scheme through a fictitious €150 million energy investment from a Dutch fund, provided a formal statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday afternoon. Accompanied by his lawyer, he submitted documents and correspondence relating to his interactions with the fraudulent investors.
The investigation has since escalated, with the case moving from the Nicosia CID to specialised units at Police Headquarters. The Cybercrime Division and the Forensic Science Department are now working to analyse the digital documents and metadata tied to the anonymous “Emily Thompson” account, aiming to uncover the video’s source.