The picture is becoming clearer for the investigative team at Police Headquarters, which is examining all aspects related to the 'Sandy' case and the allegations raised in a post by Makarios Drousiotis. The final piece of the investigative puzzle is the report from Europol regarding the messages, audio files, photographs and videos sent to electronic devices. The outcome from Europol’s forensic laboratory will indicate whether the findings are consistent with the claims made by 'Sandy' in her statements.
From her first statement, the 45‑year‑old woman at the centre of the case told investigators that the messages which came to light in Makarios Drousiotis’ post were created by herself and sent to others. She maintained the same position in her most recent statement given before investigators, in the presence of her lawyer and a psychologist.
Even if the police investigation confirms that all the material cited by Makarios Drousiotis is the product of fabricated messages, there are other significant parameters for which convincing answers are required. Namely, where did she obtain the information used to prepare, as she claims, all these messages. How did she know the individuals referred to in the messages. What was the reason for creating all this material. Was it solely her own initiative, or were other persons aware of this process.
The official position of the Minister of Justice, Costas Fytiris, that the investigation will be, as he put it, “360 degrees”, and will cover all aspects, makes it imperative that the above questions be answered, and possibly others that continue to linger.
The investigative team at Police Headquarters is also awaiting the outcome of proceedings before the Supreme Court regarding an application by Nikos Clerides seeking to annul the search warrant executed at his home and office. Police are in possession of two mobile phones belonging to Mr Clerides, which, according to information of P, include, among other things, messages sent to him by 'Sandy,' relating to some of the aspects under investigation. Nevertheless, police will await the court’s decision before further examining the seized electronic devices and evaluating their contents.
Meanwhile, there has been no new development regarding the dispatch of the results from Europol’s forensic laboratory. According to the police spokesman, Vyronas Vyronos, “there is still no update from Europol as to when it will deliver its report to the Republic of Cyprus.”
Statements and FBI
Regarding the police investigation, Police spokesman Vyronas Vyronos said yesterday that the case is being pursued intensively and on multiple levels. He added that police investigators are in daily communication with the FBI team that has been in Cyprus since last week. Asked to comment further on the role of the FBI, Mr Vyronos said that the Americans are assessing the statements and data provided by the investigative team and will subsequently prepare a report with recommendations and the results of their own evaluation of the statements and evidence.
As the police spokesman stated, the investigation continues with the taking of statements concerning the substance and content of the messages, pending the results regarding their authenticity.
He also noted that a large number of statements have so far been taken, while the investigation remains ongoing. He added that as the investigation progresses, the need may arise to take statements from additional individuals, and therefore it cannot be said at this stage whether the investigation is nearing completion.