Nicosia, Cyprus. Opposition party Akel said on Monday that the government’s handling of the ‘videogate’ affair was inadequate and suggested the administration may have been subjected to extortion.
Video allegations and resignation
In early January, a short video clip surfaced on social media alleging that associates of President Nikos Christodoulides accepted cash from donors to bypass election campaign spending caps. The video led to the resignation of the president’s chief of staff, who appeared in the eight-minute clip.
Government response and Black Cube claim
Initially, the government described the matter as a “hybrid attack” against the Republic of Cyprus, and authorities opened an investigation. In early April, Black Cube, an Israeli private intelligence agency, said it was behind the video and that it had been commissioned to expose corrupt dealings in Cyprus.
Akel calls for transparency and raises questions
Akel said serious questions continued to surround the affair, calling for “transparency and catharsis” rather than “a cover-up and silence.” The party said Christodoulides had not commented on ‘videogate’ after Black Cube took responsibility for the video, which Akel said undermined claims about a “hybrid attack” and “a foreign hand.”
Akel asked what the 29 hours of raw footage, reportedly tracked down by authorities, contain.
Questions about Simon Aykut transfer
Akel also asked how the government responds to media reports linking material held by Black Cube to the government’s decision to satisfy a request by convicted Israeli Simon Aykut to be transferred to Israel.
This month, Aykut, an Israeli businessman sentenced to five years in prison for the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the north, was transferred to Israel to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Concerns about susceptibility to blackmail
Akel asked whether the government can assure that ‘videogate’ and practices at the presidential palace did not render it susceptible to blackmail.
What assurances, if any, has the government provided about the ‘videogate’ allegations and related decisions?
