Charalampidou rejects “hybrid war” claims
AKEL MP Irene Charalampidou launched a fierce attack on the government over recent revelations in the leaked video controversy. She categorically dismisses “hybrid war” or foreign involvement like Turkey or Russia, attributing blame solely to internal power structures and practices.
“If there were no corruption acts, no tools provided, nothing would exist to record,” she notes, arguing those involved were caught red-handed by their own actions. She questions public narratives while the core issue remains corruption.
Criticism of authorities and specifics
Charalampidou sharply criticizes competent authorities. Beyond CIS probes, she asks when the Attorney General and Police will act on “Presidential-colored” money laundering cases.
She questions Lakotrypis’s Cybercrime Unit complaint instead of being summoned, demands clarity on alleged alterations, drawing on TV experience to distinguish editable elements, and calls involved Presidential staff to explain contexts.
References “cash in envelopes,” unapplied sanctions, First Lady-linked fund as “open secret,” and hints at State Auditor’s role “in the game.”
In a postscript, she urges the President to have FBI probe a figure “who escaped sanctions.” She highlights repeated “cash, cash, cash” amid Parliament card transaction laws, questioning MOKAS stance.
AKEL demands dismissals and abolition
AKEL GS Stefanos Stefanou issued a statement on the “fake investors” video, demanding immediate dismissal of President’s Office Director Charalambous and removal from the Palace, plus abolition of First Lady’s fund.
It raises “major political, ethical issues exposing the President personally” as “institutional entanglement and corruption,” worsened by government’s “low moral stature” response.
AKEL vows to act as bulwark for transparency, urging Attorney General, Anti-Corruption Authority, and prosecutors to investigate self-initiated, shedding full light on extensions generating “tormenting questions” on government ethics – even if malicious, authenticity of statements unchallenged.
Immediate actions:
1. Dismiss Charalambous, his presence insults Presidency.
2. Abolish First Lady’s fund after donor disclosure, transfer to State Scholarships Foundation.
Calls supporting parties to disavow insulting practices.
ALMA: Cyprus can’t bear more corruption
The ALMA Movement strongly condemns top-level corruption, cronyism, and apparent illegal political funding involving aides close to President Nikos Christodoulides.
The movement emphasizes that the core issue is not the authenticity or editing of the leaked video, but whether undeclared cash, illegal campaign donations, and improper contributions to the First Lady’s foundation actually occurred.
ALMA criticizes the President for failing to provide convincing answers and highlights clear nepotism, including the appointment of his son-in-law to a key position.
The movement warns that these developments damage Cyprus’s international reputation, especially as the country is expected to uphold EU sanctions and maintain a firm policy on Russia.
ALMA demands that the Anti-Corruption Authority and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately investigate the case. It calls for the resignation of Charalambous and insists that the First Lady either step down from her foundation’s leadership or transfer its functions to an independent body.
Even if no crimes are ultimately proven, ALMA argues, the President is already politically exposed. The movement claims that Christodoulides continues the practices of his mentor, former President Nicos Anastasiades, prioritizing privileged business interests over the majority of citizens.
ALMA also released ten key questions that require answers. These concern the true cost of the President’s election campaign, alleged donations from LetterOne and Remedica, George Lakotrypis’s role, the identity and involvement of a US-based donor, links to the Vasiliko terminal and other power projects under EU investigation, Cyfield’s government connections, housing plans and Mari plant permits, and the origin and use of undeclared cash surpluses.
Also read: Phaidonas returns over safe-deposit box – “Cash is circulating”
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