Cyprus' "firefight" over the controversial video posted on X just a few days ago that ramped up a political storm, was featured on Politico on Saturday.
In an article headlined "Top-level corruption allegations rock Cyprus as it assumes EU presidency", the piece underlines how just as Cyprus is taking on the helm of its presidency of the Council of the EU, the mysterious video posted on X, has sparked controversy on the domestic front.
The roughly eight-minute clip features a montage of senior government figures filmed apparently describing ways to bypass campaign spending caps with cash donations, and seemingly discussing a scheme allowing businesspeople to access the president and First Lady, Politico reported.
Former Minister of Energy George Lakkotypis referred to a lobby aimed at helping Russians avoid EU sanctions.
Denials
The outlet noted how the government denies the allegations made in the video and its decision to call it “hybrid activity” aimed at harming “the image of the government and the country.”
Nonetheless, Politico stipulated the government has not called the video fake "but insists the comments have been spliced together misleadingly. The footage appears to have been shot using hidden cameras in private meetings."
Cyprus’ opposition parties, unconvinced by government denials, are now calling for further action, Politico reported.
Pushback
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides pushed back strongly against suggestions of illicit campaign funding, telling local media on Friday that anyone with evidence of direct or indirect financial gains during his election campaign or tenure as president should submit it immediately to the competent state authorities. “I will not give anyone, absolutely anyone, the right to accuse me of corruption,” he said.
Regarding references in the video to payments made by businesses, Christodoulides emphasised that companies “must also offer social benefits within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the state, I want to repeat, for the state. And they do so in the areas of health, welfare, defense, and many other areas,” Politico noted.
Eight minutes of controversy
The outlet reported that the controversial video was posted Thursday afternoon on social media platform X from an account under the name “Emily Thompson,” described as an “independent researcher, analyst and lecturer focused mainly on American domestic and foreign policies.” Attempts to independently verify the account holder’s identity were unsuccessful.
Politico highlighted that the roughly eight-minute clip features former Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis and the director of the president’s office, Charalambos Charalambous. In the footage, Lakkotrypis appears as a point of contact for those seeking access to Christodoulides, guiding an interlocutor through procedures for payments exceeding the €1 million campaign limit.
Distorted editing?
In a written statement, Lakkotrypis said the remarks attributed to him were clearly edited to distort the context and harm both Cyprus and himself personally. He confirmed filing a complaint with the police, which launched an investigation into the video, according to Vyron Vyronos, spokesperson for the Cyprus Police.
The clip also shows Charalambous, Christodoulides’ brother-in-law, explaining how interested parties could approach the presidential palace with proposals and money that could be directed toward social contributions. Politico reported that Charalambous has not issued an official statement regarding the video.