MVP

Tag: law

  • 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.

  • Cannabis Trafficking Sentence Extended After Attorney-General’s Appeal

    Cannabis Trafficking Sentence Extended After Attorney-General’s Appeal

    cannabis trafficking — A nine-year prison sentence for cannabis trafficking has been increased to 12 years following an appeal from the attorney-general. The man, convicted of importing, possessing, and intending to supply 8.155kg of cannabis, had his original sentence deemed inadequate by the legal service.

    The appeal was prompted by concerns over the need for stricter penalties for drug-related offences. The attorney-general argued that the initial sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the crime, which involved a significant quantity of drugs intended for distribution within Cyprus.

    The cannabis was discovered in a box that arrived at Larnaca airport from the United States. The individual who signed for the package was later sentenced to six months in prison for forgery, as he unknowingly acted at the behest of the main importer.

    The Paphos criminal court had initially sentenced the importer to nine years of concurrent imprisonment. However, the appeals court found this ruling insufficient, noting, “We find that it was wrong not to give any weight to the facts of the commission of the offence, which were particularly aggravating for the respondent.” The court highlighted that the importer had involved innocent parties in his scheme, further complicating the case.

    The court’s decision reflects a growing emphasis on imposing tougher sanctions for drug trafficking, particularly when it involves large quantities and the exploitation of others. This ruling serves as a reminder of the legal system’s commitment to deterring such crimes and ensuring accountability.