Nicosia, Cyprus. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said there are “ways to get around” arrest warrants issued for social media personality Ioanna Photiou, known as “Annie Alexui,” to allow her to give a statement to police about accusations she has made against public figures.
Minister’s proposals for providing a statement
Fitiris outlined three possible ways for Photiou, who he said is in self-imposed exile in Russia, to provide information during an appearance on television channel Ant1.
He said the first option would be for her to go to the police of the Republic of Cyprus and give all information. He said Photiou herself has refused this option, and that he understands why, citing her lack of trust due to the existence of arrest warrants.
Fitiris said the second option would be for Photiou to give a statement outside Cyprus to a “team” sent by the Cypriot police. Asked whether such a team could travel to Russia, he said the government is not currently sure.
He said the third option would be for Photiou to provide a statement through a lawyer. Fitiris said the statement could also be made to him, with the lawyer retaining a copy and offering it to the authorities so an investigation can begin. He said that if Photiou wishes, she can hand over information through a lawyer she trusts, with copies retained and a report signed by her documenting the handover and receipt of information.
Arrest warrants and possible next steps
Asked about the status of the arrest warrants, Fitiris said he believes there are ways to get around the warrants, adding that such a decision would be made by the legal service and the police.
He returned to the prospect of a written statement through Photiou’s lawyer, saying that she has a lawyer in Cyprus, as she has stated, and that she should forward the information through that lawyer, which he said he would receive.
What steps do you think would make it possible for Photiou to provide information while the arrest warrants remain in place?
