Officials probed for trading in influence in videogate affair, says investigator

Local corruptionCrimeTop News Officials probed for trading in influence in videogate affair, says investigator Officials Probed For Trading In Influence In Videogate Affair, Says Investigator Relevant News Officials probed for trading in influence in videogate affair, says investigator 24 July 2026 War spreads to Red Sea as Houthis strike Saudi tankers and Trump vows retaliation against Iran 24 July 2026 New clash between the EU and the Venice Biennale as funds halted amid reopening of Russian pavilion 24 July 2026 Newsroom 24 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Officials and other figures implicated in the “videogate” affair are being investigated for trading in influence, independent Criminal Investigator Andreas Paschalides said in a statement issued yesterday, clarifying the findings of his probe into the case. Paschalides issued the statement after facing criticism over an announcement he made last Monday regarding the outcome of the criminal investigation, which he said had been the target of an attempt at distortion aimed at serving political expediencies and an insult to his dignity. He said there was a “violation of the Convention on the Criminalisation of Corruption by politically and non-politically exposed persons.” The investigation stems from a 26-hour video recorded and edited by Black Cube, a company with Israeli interests, which led to the resignation of the director of the Presidential office, Charalambos Charalambous. Former Commerce Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis and CyField managing director Giorgos Chrysochos were also implicated in the footage that was made public. Other individuals appeared in material that was never publicly released. Reports have said former Foreign and Commerce Minister Giorgos Lillikas appears in unedited footage that Black Cube handed to Paschalides for the purposes of the criminal investigation. Lillikas declined to comment when approached over the reports. Trading in influence was incorporated into Cyprus’s national legislation through the ratification law and, broadly, concerns a person promising to use their influence to achieve a particular outcome. The scope of the offence has raised legal debate. Under Article 12 of the ratification law, the offence covers the deliberate promise, giving or offer of an improper advantage to someone who claims or confirms they can exert improper influence over a decision-maker, in exchange for that influence, regardless of whether the influence is exercised or whether it achieves the intended result. The provision also covers the request, receipt or acceptance of such an advantage in exchange for the influence. The only time the offence has come before a Cypriot court was in the citizenship-by-investment case against Demetris Syllouris and Christakis Giovani. Nicosia’s Permanent Criminal Court acquitted the two officials by majority decision, though the rulings of the two members who agreed to the acquittal and the judge who dissented showed the interpretation of the offence is not settled. Paschalides also said his role had been strictly that of Criminal Investigator, operating under specific terms of reference, rather than that of an investigative committee, adding that some had refused to acknowledge this “either out of ignorance, confusion, or deliberately.” He said he would not object to his findings being made public once all investigations had concluded, but warned that releasing them now could breach the presumption of innocence should criminal prosecutions follow. He also rejected criticism that he had failed to examine the political or ethical dimensions of the case, saying this fell outside his terms of reference as Criminal Investigator. Paschalides submitted his findings to Attorney General Giorgos Savvides on July 17. His report concluded that no criminal offence had been established, though he referred one issue involving the same anti-corruption convention to the Attorney General for further examination. Investigators are still trying to establish who commissioned Black Cube to produce the video. Read more: Parliament to request full investigator’s report on Videogate scandal Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News War spreads to Red Sea as Houthis strike Saudi tankers and Trump vows retaliation against Iran New clash between the EU and the Venice Biennale as funds halted amid reopening of Russian pavilion What I look for in a founder Consensus for sanctioning Israel growing in Europe Cyprus races to complete emergency care reform by November deadline Things to do on Friday, July 24 Scorching 39C heat and gusty winds forecast across Cyprus today Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.