A political earthquake that has shaken Cyprus over the past 24 hours is the focus of a Politico report, titled “Top-level corruption allegations rock Cyprus as it assumes EU presidency.” The story centers on leaked video footage revealing “secret” conversations between three Cypriot political and business figures and individuals allegedly interested in investing money in Cyprus, while appearing to discuss illegal financing methods and sanctions evasion. The video is presented as a “leak” and was shared by an “X” account named “Emily Thompson,” which presents itself as an “independent analyst.”
Politico on Cyprus: Government rejects allegations made in recorded footage of senior officials
“Top-level corruption allegations rock Cyprus as it assumes EU presidency. The government rejects allegations made in recorded footage of senior officials, however the opposition demands further action,” reads the headline and subheading of the Politico report.
“At a time when Cyprus’s government should be focusing on exercising the EU Council presidency, it is forced to manage intense internal controversy due to an online video alleging top-level corruption. The turmoil centers on a mysterious video posted on platform X featuring edited footage of senior figures appearing to describe ways to circumvent campaign spending limits through cash donations, as well as discussing an alleged scheme that would allow businesspeople access to the President and First Lady. One excerpt also allegedly refers to helping Russians avoid EU sanctions. The government denies the allegations made in the video and characterizes it as ‘hybrid activity’ aimed at damaging ‘the government’s and the country’s image,'” Politico reports, among other details.
“The government doesn’t say the video is fake, but insists the comments have been assembled in a misleading way. The material appears to have been filmed with hidden cameras during private meetings. Opposition members, who remain unconvinced, are now demanding further measures. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis reacted strongly to the illegal campaign financing allegations in statements to local media on Friday.
“I would like to publicly call on anyone who has evidence of direct or indirect financial benefit during the election campaign or during my tenure as President of the Republic to submit it immediately to the competent state authorities,” he stated. “I will not give anyone, absolutely anyone, the right to accuse me of corruption.”
Regarding the reference to payments made by companies, he said that businesses “must also provide social benefits within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the state, I want to repeat, for the state. And they do this in the fields of health, welfare, defense and many other sectors.”
The controversial video was published on Thursday evening on social media platform X on an account named “Emily Thompson,” described as “an independent researcher, analyst and lecturer primarily dealing with American domestic and foreign policy.”
It was not immediately possible to find public and verifiable information confirming the real identity of the person behind the account,” the report also notes.
The video reportedly shows two political figures – former Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis, Presidential Office Director Charalambos Charalambous (who is related to the President by marriage), and businessman George Chrysochoos – allegedly conversing with individuals supposedly interested in investing money in Cyprus, while appearing to discuss illegal financing methods and sanctions evasion as mentioned above.
See HERE the Politico report
