**Anti-Corruption Authority to Release Findings on Spy Van Case**
The Anti-Corruption Authority of Cyprus is set to announce its findings regarding the controversial "black van" spying case on Monday, as confirmed by Commissioner Haris Poyiadjis during a session of the House institutions committee on Wednesday. This announcement follows inquiries from Alma MP Irene Charalambides about the status of the investigation into surveillance activities conducted by the private company WiSpear, which has faced scrutiny for operating surveillance equipment from a modified van.
The case has garnered renewed attention amid calls from various political figures for a thorough re-examination. Akel MP Constantinos Constantinou expressed concerns that the case had been prematurely closed without adequate explanation. He emphasized that the vague reference to "public interest" was insufficient justification for halting further investigation, arguing that reopening the case would bolster public confidence in the rule of law.
The origins of the case date back to 2019 when police initiated an investigation into WiSpear after its then-CEO, Tal Dilian, publicly demonstrated surveillance technology installed in a converted ambulance. The vehicle was reported to have capabilities for intercepting electronic communications and accessing mobile devices within a specified range. WiSpear maintained that the van was used exclusively for field tests and demonstrations involving company-owned devices, and that these activities were conducted with the knowledge of relevant authorities.
In November 2021, Attorney General George Savvides made the decision to suspend the criminal prosecution of Dilian and two other defendants. However, charges against WiSpear Systems continued, resulting in the company pleading guilty to several violations related to personal data and subsequently facing a €76,000 fine.
The case has recently resurfaced in the public eye following developments in Greece, where Dilian was convicted alongside three others for illegal surveillance involving the controversial Predator spyware. In February, a Greek court sentenced the defendants to a total of 126 years, with only eight years of the sentence to be served under current legal provisions. The sentences have been suspended pending appeal. This scandal in Greece involved the targeting of numerous individuals, including high-ranking government officials and journalists, raising alarms about the implications of surveillance technology.
Dilian's comments to Reuters, asserting that the surveillance technology he marketed was exclusively sold to governments, have intensified calls for a re-evaluation of the "black van" case in Cyprus. Akel Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou has been vocal in urging the Cypriot authorities to reopen their investigation, citing insufficient explanations for the suspension of criminal proceedings against Dilian and others. He highlighted the serious implications of surveillance and potential corruption on both individual rights and the integrity of democratic institutions.
In response to these calls, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis previously dismissed the need for a new investigation, stating that prior inquiries were conducted before the current administration took office in 2023. He encouraged anyone with evidence or indications warranting a new investigation to submit their findings to the appropriate authorities.
During the committee meeting, Charalambides also raised concerns about delays in legislation aimed at enhancing the powers of the Anti-Corruption Authority. Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary George Pantelis reported that a bill had been drafted and sent for evaluation. The committee discussed Cyprus' progress in combating corruption, organized crime, whistleblower protection, and transparency measures.
Poyiadjis noted that the Anti-Corruption Authority has expanded significantly since its inception, growing from a small team of three secretarial staff and one officer handling complaints to a workforce of 16, which includes seven officers and two members. He indicated that legislative measures to strengthen the authority have been passed, and recruitment efforts are underway.
However, Poyiadjis acknowledged that existing whistleblower protection laws contain significant gaps and do not provide adequate safeguards for individuals coming forward with information. To date, the authority has received fewer than ten whistleblowing complaints. The committee also discussed the anticipated rollout of software to facilitate lobbying legislation, expected to be operational by March next year.
The director of the police’s criminal prevention unit, Thomas Hadjikyriakou, highlighted that police actions require satisfactory evidence and announced the establishment of a new organized crime countermeasures directorate modeled after FBI standards, which is expected to be operational within the year. Charalambides raised concerns about the expectation for citizens to provide evidence when they may be at risk, questioning the burden placed on individuals in potentially dangerous situations.
As the Anti-Corruption Authority prepares to release its announcement on the "black van" case, the outcome may have significant implications for public trust in governance and the ongoing discourse surrounding surveillance practices in Cyprus.