The government is maintaining its position that the so-called “Videogate” case constitutes a form of hybrid warfare, with Presidential Press Director Victor Papadopoulos pointing to what he described as an implicit admission by private intelligence firm Black Cube.
Speaking on Politis radio, Papadopoulos said the company’s statement effectively acknowledged that the video was part of a “malicious set-up” designed to target both the government and the country’s international standing. He added that the statement was issued only after investigators had traced the case back to the firm.
He also referred to the European Council’s definition of hybrid threats, describing them as coordinated and harmful activities carried out with malicious intent to undermine a state or institution through a range of means. In that context, he argued that the video falls within that framework.
Asked whether the government itself had been the target, Papadopoulos said this was evident from the content of the video, reiterating that the company responded only after coming under investigative scrutiny. He added that it would ultimately be determined whether any government official was involved in corruption-related matters.
No cooperation with Black Cube
Papadopoulos clarified that neither the authorities nor the government are cooperating with Black Cube, despite the company having submitted around 30 hours of material to investigators as part of the ongoing probe. He also stressed that the President of the Republic is not featured in that material.
Separate questions were raised over the delay in appointing a replacement for Charalambos Charalambous as Director of the President’s Office. Papadopoulos said there is an existing administrative structure in place and that the President will take decisions at a time of his choosing.
Charalambous resigned from the post following the publication of the controversial video.