The findings of Criminal Investigator Andreas Paschalidis regarding the “videogate” scandal, which were submitted to the Attorney General on Friday, state that no wrongdoing was found.

“The Criminal Investigator and the team of police investigators have determined that the statements heard in the video, allegedly made by some of the Cypriot protagonists, constitute nothing more than empty rhetoric and ‘boasting’ intended to create a sensation around themselves in order to gain personal financial benefit—which some of them have already begun to reap.”
Statement by Andreas Paschalidis

Conclusions

Among the key conclusions drawn from the investigation is that the video constitutes a form of hybrid warfare against the Republic of Cyprus at the very moment it was assuming the presidency of the European Union. There is a clear insinuation of Russian involvement or that of another hostile country, while the video—totaling 26 hours—was organized and produced by a private company with non-Cypriot interests andoperatives in numerous countries. The complete video also features other figures from Cyprus’s political and business circles.

READ ALSO: Paschalidis will search for the “mastermind” behind Videogate; he remains in his position as criminal investigator by decision of Savvides

An analysis of the original video revealed issues deemed to require thorough investigation. Such as the fund of the Independent Social Support Agency, which was headed by the First Lady at the time and was at the center of reports as an “easy and safe” channel through which money could be funneled in exchange for “suspicious” favors. This institution was abolished following the public outcry that ensued.

“Okay, we want to do this work, and we’ll also allocate this amount for corporate social responsibility purposes.”
_{Charalambos Charalambous, excerpt from a video}

“A list of donors was received, and its review, in conjunction with the rest of the investigation, revealed the baseless nature of the ‘reprehensible’ allegations in this matter.”
^{Statement by Andreas Paschalides}

“I am also ensuring that Cyprus maintains a firm stance within the European Union so that sanctions are not imposed on this third party.”
_{Giorgos Lakkotrypis, excerpt from a video}

These reports regarding the exclusion of a specific Russian oligarch from the European Union’s sanctions list also became the focus of the investigations.

“The matter was thoroughly investigated, with the probe extending to high-ranking government officials, without anything reprehensible coming to light. On the contrary, what emerged was that the Cypriot side, at all relevant times, acted entirely in accordance with the law.”
^{Statement by Andreas Paschalides}

Another issue that, according to the criminal investigator, could not be ignored was reports of cash contributions made during the campaign for the Presidency of the Republic.

READ ALSO: “Hot air and empty rhetoric”: Here is Paschalidis’s statement on Videogate; he finds no violation

“There’s a one-million cap on his campaign. You know, it has to be in cash, so they go there with cash.”
_{George Lakotrypis, excerpt from a video}

“Not even in this area, despite persistent reports to the contrary—at least on the part of one of the two—was anything improper found after investigations, let alone corruption.”
^{Statement by Andreas Paschalidis}

Nor did anything reprehensible come to light regarding lobbying, although the report notes that two of the three Cypriots appearing in the video derived financial benefits from agreements they signed with the alleged investors. A construction project in the Limassol District, which received favorable treatment from a specific member of a well-known Limassol family, was the subject of a special investigation.

“Not only was it proven that such allegations were baseless and unfounded, but also that in the sole case identified—which concerned a construction project by the family in question— the decisions of the administration at the time were entirely above board and beyond reproach; moreover, there was no member of that specific family with that specific name.”
^{Statement by Andreas Paschalidis}

Following his recommendation, the criminal investigator secured an extension of his mandate from the legal department to continue the investigations until December 31. This is because, based on the testimony gathered to date, it was possible to locate the original video, reveal the identity of the producer/creator of the video, as well as the identities of the individuals/agents who were used; however, it has not been possible to determine the identity of the company’s client. As stated in its announcement, revealing the identity of the company’s client would shed light on the mystery surrounding this specific aspect of the case and fully uncover the client’s objectives and motives behind it.

Watch the report by Nasia Ioannou:

The legal community is focusing on the findings regarding the “videogate” scandal

Speaking to ALPHA, lawyer Simos Angelidis calls for the complete dismissal of the video in question and the effective exoneration of all those involved from any liability.

“It simply casts a shadow over the government. And, of course, criminal liability is one thing, and political liability is another. Because right now, as things stand, tomorrow even the former director of the President’s Office might come forward and say that he could return now that I’ve been vindicated.”
^{Simos Angelidis – Lawyer}

And he argues that since the report finds no wrongdoing, the findings should be made public and the unedited 26-hour video should be released

“In other words, we saw things, we heard things. If they’re turning black into white, they need to explain to us how and why. I’m not saying it isn’t so. But they need to explain to us how what we saw differs from the conclusion that has been reached.”
^{Simos Angelidis – Lawyer}

He even criticizes the fact that July 20 was chosen for the announcement of the findings, while emphasizing that the six-month extension granted to Andreas Paschalides—since nothing reprehensible has emerged—is unnecessary.any wrongdoing, is unnecessary.

AKEL and ALMA reacted strongly to the criminal investigator’s conclusions.

AKEL

We did not need any findings to comment on the obvious, regarding which the government and the President himself remained irreparably exposed institutionally.

ALMA

In Cyprus, the exercise of public power and corruption are so intertwined that they constantly cover for one another, and do so brazenly right before our eyes. 

AKEL called for the full publication of the findings, citing transparency as the reason.

Watch Eleni Michael’s report: