The police investigation into the controversial video circulating on platform X remains at a preliminary stage, with authorities awaiting a formal statement from former energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis before determining the scope of the probe or any potential offences. According to the police, it is still too early to assess the authenticity of the material or draw conclusions about its origin.
The investigation into the video that surfaced yesterday afternoon on X is still in its initial phase, police spokesperson Byron Byronos told the Cyprus News Agency on Friday.
The video purports to record conversations between former energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, the Director of the President’s Office Charalambos Charalambous, and Cyfield Group CEO Giorgos Chrysochos, with individuals presented as investors from the Netherlands.
The footage includes references, among other things, to alleged campaign funding amounts reaching up to one million euros, as well as to contributions to the First Lady’s social support fund.
The government has described the video as an attempt at manipulation and a hybrid threat, maintaining that the material is the result of editing.
Police awaiting Lakkotrypis statement
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Byronos said that police have already begun preliminary examinations but are not yet in a position to provide details on the subject matter or breadth of the investigation.
“We received a complaint yesterday and have initiated certain examinations. At this stage, I cannot say what exactly our services are looking into,” he said.
He added that police are awaiting Lakkotrypis to collect and submit material that will form part of his testimony, after which he will be called to give an official statement. This, Byronos noted, will allow the investigation to move to a more substantive level.
At present, police are unable to determine either the precise object of the investigation or the potential offences involved.
“What exactly we are investigating and which offences may be involved is something we are not yet able to say. This will be assessed following the official statement. We are at a very early stage,” the police spokesperson said.
Asked whether a case file, or part of it, had been forwarded to the Legal Service for guidance, Byronos replied in the negative, clarifying however that both the Legal Service and the Chief of Police are fully informed.
He said the investigation will be conducted by the CID Headquarters, in cooperation with other competent departments, including the Cybercrime Subdirectorate, the Forensic Services, and any other unit deemed necessary.
Early-stage assessment of the video
Referring specifically to the video, Byronos clarified that it is not currently in the possession of any individual or authority, as it is publicly available online. Police services, he said, have begun the process of retrieving the material from the internet and analysing it in order to determine its content and nature.
He stressed that it is premature to make any assessment regarding possible editing, alteration or splicing of the footage.
“I cannot make any statement on this issue because we are still at a very early stage,” he said, referring to statements already made by the Presidency.
Regarding possible offences, Byronos underlined that the investigation is not limited to a single offence, such as the illegal recording of private conversations.
“All offences that may arise from the investigation will be examined. At this stage, we are identifying what offences, complaints or issues may emerge from this video,” he said.
Asked whether assistance has been, or will be, sought from foreign authorities or from the platform X itself, Byronos replied that “everything necessary will be done to ensure a proper investigation”.
Hybrid threat scenario
Commenting on government references to a hybrid threat, Byronos explained that the term refers to acts linked to state security or the safety of political figures, carried out through unlawful means.
He said such a scenario is “very likely”, while stressing that police cannot go into details at this stage, again referring to statements by the Presidency.
No identification of account so far
With regard to the account under the name “Emily Thompson”, from which the video is believed to have been published, the police spokesperson said that no identification has been made so far, nor has it been established whether the profile is fake or fabricated.
He emphasised that the investigation remains at a very early stage.
Finally, Byronos assured that all necessary measures have been taken, and will continue to be taken, to protect individuals who appear to have been targeted. He added that no official institutional briefing from the police is expected before the beginning of next week, as the priority remains the receipt of official testimony and further evaluation of the data.
Source: Cyprus News Agency