Former energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis has rejected claims attributed to him in a video circulating on the social media platform X, which raises questions over the financing of Nikos Christodoulides’ 2023 presidential election campaign and alleged informal access to the Presidential Palace by individuals presented as investors.
In a written statement, Lakkotrypis said it is “self-evident” from the video that remarks attributed to him were edited in order to distort the context of the discussions, with the aim of harming Cyprus, the President of the Republic, and himself personally.
He added that it is “not coincidental” that the video was released one day after the opening ceremony of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Lakkotrypis confirmed that he has filed a complaint with the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to which he will submit all evidence in his possession.
Full statement
“Following a video circulated today by a fake profile on the X platform, in which I am presented as discussing with alleged investors ways of financing the President of the Republic’s election campaign, I wish to state the following: It is evident from the video that the statements attributed to me have been edited to distort the context of the discussions, with the ultimate aim of harming our country, the President of the Republic, and myself personally. It is not a coincidence that the video was leaked one day after the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. I have already filed a complaint with the Nicosia CID, to which I will deliver all the evidence at my disposal.”