A new video has caused big problems in Cyprus. It is called "Videogate." The video shows President Nikos Christodoulides. It suggests he and his friends used money wrongly in the election campaign. Opposition parties want answers. The government says the video is fake news. They say it is a plan to hurt them.
The video came out on X last Thursday. It shows secret meetings. Money might have been exchanged there. This could be against campaign money rules. Experts looked at the video. They think it is real, but maybe edited. The account that posted the video seemed fake. It had few followers. This makes people wonder who is behind it.
A man in the video used the name "Florin Gheorghiu." He said he was an old Romanian chess player. This made the video seem very planned. The government spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, called it "hybrid activity." He said it was made to harm Cyprus. He believes the video is put together from different parts.
Opposition parties are very unhappy. The Akel party wants the President's office director to resign. This is because he is in the video. Some people in the ruling parties are also worried. They want more openness.
Another politician, Nikos Sykas, has his own problems. He is accused by his wife. He gave up his immunity to face the charges. The court was going to hear his case. His wife has now taken back her complaint.
The government is trying to explain the video. They say it might be about getting money from other countries. This would help their reputation. Someone named Giorgos Lakkotrypis says his words in the video were changed. He has reported this to the police.
Police and the attorney-general are investigating. They want to find out who made the video. Experts are looking at the technical parts. The video might have used servers in other countries. This shows it could be a big, international plan. This scandal makes people worry about elections. It shows how fake news can be dangerous. More news is expected soon.