MVP

Tag: corruption

  • Corruption — Former Supreme Court Judge Leads Investigation into Presidential Corruption Allegations

    Corruption — Former Supreme Court Judge Leads Investigation into Presidential Corruption Allegations

    corruption — The focus keyword, corruption, is at the heart of an independent investigation led by Andreas Paschalides, a former Supreme Court Judge. Appointed by the Attorney General, Paschalides will oversee a probe into a video that has sparked allegations of misconduct within the presidential palace.

    This appointment was officially announced on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, by the Law Office. It comes in response to mounting pressure from both government coalition partners and opposition parties who demand a transparent inquiry into the serious claims raised by the footage.

    Andreas Paschalides, who also chairs the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police, has been empowered with extensive investigative authority. He will work closely with the Cyprus Police to examine potential criminal offences linked to individuals depicted in the video.

    Crucially, the investigation will delve into the video’s content, its authenticity, and the circumstances surrounding its creation. The footage first appeared on social media platform “X” on 8 January, uploaded by an account under the name “Emily Thompson.” This timeline is pivotal as it marks the beginning of the controversy that has since engulfed the presidential administration.

    The current administration, led by President Christodoulides, is experiencing a significant domestic crisis, with the President labelling the video leak a Russian-led “hybrid attack.” This accusation underscores the administration’s concerns about foreign interference during its tenure as the EU Council Presidency.

    Paschalides has been instructed to expedite the investigation, aiming for completion within three months. The probe’s outcomes are expected to be crucial, particularly for high-ranking officials, including Charalambos Charalambous, the former Director of the President’s Office, who resigned shortly after the video’s release.

    The Law Office has made it clear that Paschalides’ mandate encompasses any related issues that may arise during the investigation, allowing him a broad scope over the internal workings of the presidency during the time in question.

  • Disinformation — Cyprus Intelligence Links Alleged Corruption Video to Russian Disinformation Campaign

    Disinformation — Cyprus Intelligence Links Alleged Corruption Video to Russian Disinformation Campaign

    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.

  • Trimiklini Fish Farm Case Under Police Investigation Following Anti-Corruption Report

    Trimiklini Fish Farm Case Under Police Investigation Following Anti-Corruption Report

    trimiklini fish — The Trimiklini fish farm case is now under police investigation after an anti-corruption authority report flagged possible criminal liability. This report, which raised concerns over illegal water extraction and the operations of a fish farm near Trimiklini, has been referred to the police along with extensive evidence, according to a representative from the attorney-general’s office.

    The investigation stems from findings submitted to the attorney-general’s office on December 22. The report implicated former agriculture minister Nicos Kouyialis and two former department heads, highlighting irregularities in the approval process for water extraction from the Kouris river and permits for the illegal fish farm.

    “We examined the report and we sent it to the police along with the evidence accompanying it for further investigation,” the representative stated, noting that various aspects of the case are already under review. The police have gathered testimonies and drawn conclusions, and the evidence is described as extensive—far more than just a simple box file.

    As the investigation progresses, no specific timeframe has been established for its conclusion. The attorney-general’s representative emphasised the goal of resolving the matter as soon as possible. This case has gained heightened attention recently, especially after MP Irene Charalambides publicly expressed concerns about the Law Office’s handling of the situation, accusing it of “selective inactivity.”

    Charalambides’ criticism followed remarks made by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, who indicated that several government actions had not been adequately addressed by the Law Office. In response to these concerns, Charalambides submitted a parliamentary question, seeking clarification on decisions made during an October 2024 meeting at the Law Office, which was attended by the current agriculture minister.

    The anti-corruption authority’s report, released on December 19, 2025, detailed the actions of Kouyialis and the two department heads, Loizos Loizides and Kostas Hadjipanayiotou. It pointed out that Kouyialis had approved a special appeal allowing water extraction from the Kouris river upstream of the Trimiklini reservoir without adhering to proper procedures. Furthermore, he directed water supply directly from the dam without a formal request.

    The report also highlighted that the two department heads had issued licences for the illegal fish farm, stating they had knowingly bypassed legislation and regulations. It accused them of abusing their positions to coordinate the issuance of the necessary permits, reflecting a serious breach of their duties.

    In total, the report indicated potential criminal liability for Kouyialis, Loizides, Hadjipanayiotou, and seven other individuals, some of whom are implicated in multiple cases. As the police investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and addressing the serious allegations raised by the anti-corruption authority.

  • Corruption allegations — Marinos Sizopoulos Responds to Corruption Allegations: ‘I Discovered the Forgery Myself’

    Corruption allegations — Marinos Sizopoulos Responds to Corruption Allegations: ‘I Discovered the Forgery Myself’

    corruption allegations — Marinos Sizopoulos, the MP and former EDEK president, is fighting back against corruption allegations detailed in a report from the Independent Authority Against Corruption. He plans to address the claims involving himself and other shareholders of Taxan Properties, asserting his innocence and his role in uncovering the alleged wrongdoing.

    Sizopoulos informed Philenews of his upcoming trip abroad, after which he will hold a press conference to discuss the allegations in detail. “I will present all the evidence,” he stated, emphasising the importance of studying the report thoroughly before making further comments.

    Corruption allegations: Denial and Dispute Over Allegations

    In a series of statements to various media outlets, Sizopoulos has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged fraudulent activities. He claims to have been the one who discovered the signature forgery that has sparked the investigation, insisting that he reported the matter to the police.

    Legal Challenges Ahead

    When questioned about the possibility of the case progressing to court, Sizopoulos appeared unfazed, asserting, “no problem,” and reiterated that he possesses all necessary evidence. He also indicated his intention to challenge the authority’s jurisdiction regarding both the investigation and the publication of the report.

    Details of the Allegations

    The findings from the Independent Authority Against Corruption suggest that there may be serious criminal offences at play, including fraud, forgery, and conspiracy to defraud. This investigation is tied to a loan settlement deal involving a significant debt write-off of €956,900, with allegations that a signature belonging to an Iraqi investor was forged in the process.

    Sizopoulos’s statements reflect a strong commitment to clear his name and challenge the findings of the authority. As he prepares for his press conference, the political landscape in Cyprus watches closely, anticipating his next moves in this unfolding situation.