The title “Corruption in Cyprus” and the subtitle “Christodoulides’ Crony Capitalism” (“Christodoulidis’ nepotism”) of the video published on the social media platform
The video, which was published on January 8th on
The discussions revolve around sponsorship money for the recent election campaign for the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus as well as investment projects in the energy sector of the Mediterranean island. The conservative Christodoulidis, 52, had in February 2023 clearly won the runoff election for the presidency against his left-wing opponent.
Explosive video material
The published material is quite explosive. Because the President of Cyprus is the head of state and government with extensive powers, for example the appointment of the Council of Ministers. He also appoints judges and officials. Christodoulidis has been leading Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency since January 1st.
In the video, former Energy Minister Lakkotrypis explains to his interlocutor that the financing limit (for election campaigns in Cyprus) is one million euros. If you exceed that limit, you “sometimes have to resort to cash”. Lakkotrypis continued: “We are talking to the President and the First Lady. She is receiving funding for her projects.” This refers to the President’s wife Filippa Karseara Christodoulidis. She has managed the Fund for Independent Social Assistance (AFKS) since 2023.
The construction lion Chrysochoos also boasts in the video about his close relationships with President Christodoulidis: “If I call him now, he will answer.” The frequent meetings with him are not public so as not to give the impression that “he is helping him”. Nevertheless: “I have to pay 250,000 euros in donations every year. Every time the government organizes a charity event, I’m there.”
Christodoulidis’ brother-in-law Charalambous is also seen with a person working on behalf of a company called Stratix Wealth that wants to invest 150 million euros in the energy sector of Cyprus. Charalambous offers to intervene in applications if problems arise, “so that the matter is treated as a priority.”
First resignations after video publication
One thing is certain: Christodoulidis’ office manager Charalambous has since resigned from his position. The presidential wife and AFKS boss Filippa Karseara Christodoulidis also took off her hat, but at the same time announced legal action against “defamatory claims”.
Meanwhile, the responsible police and public prosecutor’s office are investigating the case. For the lawyer Simos Angelidis, the statements heard in the video represent a reasonable suspicion of possible crimes such as bribery, abuse of office and violation of the electoral law if the video material explicitly turns out to be real, as he told the state broadcaster RIK.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis rejected the allegations. In an initial assessment, the responsible state authority described the video as “malicious and the product of an assembly”. Head of State Christodoulidis himself was combative. “I have nothing to fear,” he said. The EU presidency is a “national mission” and a “top priority”.