**NICOSIA** – Authorities in Cyprus are embroiled in a complex investigation into a recently surfaced video, which purports to expose corruption involving President Nikos Christodoulides and alleged illicit financial contributions. Intelligence services are treating the leak as a potential component of an orchestrated "hybrid operation," with significant indications pointing towards Russian disinformation tactics. The timing of this development, coinciding with Cyprus’s assumption of the European Union Presidency, amplifies concerns about the potential geopolitical ramifications.
The video, disseminated online on Friday, has been subjected to rigorous scrutiny by fact-checking organisations. Fact Check Cyprus, a prominent local entity, has meticulously analysed the footage and concluded with a high degree of certainty that it is not a product of artificial intelligence generation. "We have strong evidence that there are no AI components in the video," stated Theophile Bloudanis, a fact checker at the organisation. "With all the information we have gathered so far, we are almost 100 per cent certain that there is no AI involved." Despite this, the source of the video remains dubious, circulating from an X account identified as "EmilyTanalyst," which features a Ukrainian flag in its profile and lacks any verifiable owner details. Further examination revealed that the account name has been associated with online articles employing AI-generated profile imagery, adding another layer of suspicion.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP) and involving multiple branches of the Cyprus Police, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Nicosia, the Cybercrime Division, and the Forensic Science Department, is delving into the provenance of the video. Authorities are attempting to ascertain not only how the footage was fabricated but also to identify any potential criminal offences linked to its creation and dissemination. The overarching objective is to unravel the machinations behind what is being described as a sophisticated disinformation campaign.
Central to the inquiry is a sting operation that appears to have ensnared former minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Giorgos Lakkotrypis, and potentially others, including the President's chief of staff and brother-in-law, Charalambos Charalambous. The operation reportedly involved an investment entity named "Stratix Wealth," which posed as representatives of a Dutch investment fund. Lakkotrypis, according to reports, was lured by the prospect of a substantial €150 million energy investment. The subsequent editing of filmed sequences, involving political figures and businessmen, is believed to have been manipulated to construct a narrative suggesting a clandestine mechanism for illegal cash donations, thereby exceeding campaign spending limits and establishing a "pay-for-play" system within the Christodoulides administration.
The complexity of the alleged disinformation plot is further underscored by the potential involvement of the "Doppelganger" campaign, a known Russian operation that has been active since 2021, often employing "kompromat" – compromising material – to destabilise targets. The current leak, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the country, the president, and the individuals implicated, aligns with the modus operandi of such campaigns. The involvement of an investment entity with names similar to companies in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States suggests a deliberate attempt to obscure the true origin and amplify the perceived legitimacy of the operation.
Given the intricate nature of the digital evidence and the international dimensions of the suspected operation, Cypriot authorities are reportedly considering seeking assistance from Europol, the European Union's agency for law enforcement cooperation. The comprehensive nature of the investigation, encompassing digital forensics and intelligence gathering, highlights the seriousness with which the Cypriot government is treating this matter, particularly in light of its crucial role as the holder of the EU Presidency. The outcome of this probe will not only have significant implications for those directly implicated but could also provide valuable insights into the evolving tactics of state-sponsored disinformation in the digital age.