A video circulating on social media shows former associate of Odysseas Michaelides, Andreas Chasapopoulos, making serious claims about the former Auditor-General’s alleged political discussions and alliances.
Chasapopoulos said Michaelides told him that former Democratic Rally (DISY) leader Averof Neophytou would support the newly formed ALMA movement in the upcoming parliamentary elections, supposedly with the aim of weakening DISY president Annita Demetriou.
“Before we ended our collaboration,” Chasapopoulos said, “Odysseas Michaelides confided in me that ALMA would do well because we also have Averof Neophytou’s support. He wants to hurt Annita Demetriou politically so that he can return to the party himself.”
Chasapopoulos further claimed that Michaelides told him he had already reached an agreement with Irene Charalambidou to run on the ALMA ticket, but that it would not be announced yet. “He told me all this,” Chasapopoulos added, “back when we were still very close and he would confide everything to me.”
Chasapopoulos has gone further in recent days, alleging that Odysseas Michaelides personally sent him text messages, “with copy and photo”, to upload to the Facebook page originally known as 'Support Group for Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides,' later rebranded as 'Fighting Corruption.' According to Chasapopoulos, he was instructed to post specific material on Michaelides’ behalf and still administers the page.
The claim directly contradicts Michaelides’ repeated assurances to the Supreme Court that he had no involvement with the group, statements made under oath during proceedings that preceded his dismissal as Auditor-General. In more recent interviews, Michaelides has acknowledged sending “some texts… on a human level,” though he denies managing or directing the group. The allegations reported, have reignited scrutiny over the blurred lines between Michaelides’ public role and his online support network, while the authenticity of the exchanged messages has not been independently verified.
Wider backdrop
Since its launch under Michaelides, ALMA has been dogged by internal dissent and accusations over decision-making and transparency. Politis has documented members’ complaints about “leader-centred” structures and allegations that controversial figures were embraced by the movement, which ALMA’s leadership has rejected.
For Democratic Rally, Cyprus’ main centre-right party, any perception of coordination between Neophytou and ALMA would be sensitive, given Annita Demetriou’s leadership and efforts to consolidate the party heading into the 2026 contest. While Neophytou has been active in national debates, there is no authoritative statement from him confirming any support for ALMA. The claim remains one made by Chasapopoulos in his video and prior posts.
In a post on X, Averof Neofytou stated:
"Our country is facing serious problems and major challenges.
In these circumstances, our homeland needs, more than ever, a strong and dynamic Democratic Rally.
Free from distractions, we will keep our party at the forefront - and I personally will continue, as always, to dedicate all my energy in this direction.
Unsubstantiated and baseless talk, which I categorically deny, will not distract us."