EditCyprus corruption video scandal: more questions than answers on day two
President Nikos Christodoulides calls on anyone with evidence of direct or indirect financing to him to come forward
As Cyprus assumed its rotating EU Council presidency, a controversial hidden-camera video alleging illegal campaign financing and influence peddling around President Nikos Christodoulides has triggered intense political fallout, with authorities focusing investigations on the material’s origins rather than its content.
The eight-minute clip, anonymously posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the account @EmilyTanalyst under the name Emily Thompson, surfaced on 8 January, just after the ceremonies surrounding Cyprus assuming its EU stint on 1 January.
Explosive video sparks corruption scandal in Cyprus amid EU presidency
It features snippets of conversations involving key figures close to the president: Presidential Office Director Charalambos Charalambous, former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, and Cyfield Group CEO Giorgos Chrysochos. The footage, narrated in a British accent, claims these individuals discussed bypassing the €1 million legal cap on election campaign spending through undisclosed cash donations disguised as corporate social responsibility contributions. It also hints at “cash-for-access” schemes, potential influence over EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs, and ties to pharmaceutical firm Remedica via the investment group LetterOne.
Government officials swiftly labelled the video a product of malicious editing and possible foreign “hybrid activity.” Cyprus Security Services analysis, cited in multiple reports including by the Associated Press, identified “characteristics of organized Russian disinformation campaigns,” similar to operations targeting France, Germany, and the United States.
The timing – coinciding with high-profile EU events, including a visit by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – fueled suspicions of external interference aimed at undermining the island nation’s credibility during its presidency.
By day two, the probe shifted emphasis. The mysterious “Dutch investors” from the purported firm Stratix Wealth, who appear to have initiated contact with Lakkotrypis nearly two years earlier, vanished digitally: their website and email accounts went offline shortly after the leak. Fact Check Cyprus found no obvious signs of AI deepfakes, though selective editing or out-of-context cuts could not be excluded.
Former Minister Lakkotrypis, denying any wrongdoing, filed a police complaint and returned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to submit bank statements, invoices, and other evidence supporting his version of events. Police spokesperson statements indicated the investigation would cover “all offences that may arise,” extending beyond potential illegal recording. The Legal Service issued guidance to authorities on handling the sensitive material.
Pharmaceutical company Remedica issued a firm denial, clarifying that a €75,000 donation referenced in the video was made in July 2025 for wildfire relief efforts in response to a government appeal, and had no political dimension. The firm stressed that LetterOne operates independently, with no ties to sanctioned shareholders.
In a direct and defiant response, President Christodoulides challenged his critics publicly: “I want to publicly call on anyone who has evidence of direct or indirect financing of me, either during the pre-election campaign or during my presidency, to submit it immediately to the competent state authorities. I will not allow, to anyone, the right to accuse me of corruption.” He defended his administration’s policy of attracting foreign investments, noting successful outcomes such as recent American commitments, while insisting that companies must contribute socially in areas like health, welfare, and defence.
Opposition voices grew louder. AKEL demanded explanations and called for the resignation of Presidential Office Director Charalambous, describing alleged meetings as “politically reprehensible.” Other parties echoed calls for transparency amid upcoming parliamentary elections.
Implicated individuals, including Chrysochos and Charalambous, maintained that their remarks were misrepresented or taken out of context in the edited footage.
As the scandal enters its third day on 10 January, key questions linger: Who orchestrated and released the video, and is Russian involvement definitively established? Will authorities probe the substance of the financing and influence allegations, or limit the scope to the leak itself?
Caption: Still frame from the video posted by @EmilyTanalyst [Politis]
Updated: January 10, 2026 - 07:46
