Nicosia, Cyprus. Police said on Tuesday that electronic devices linked to the Sandy investigation were never sent to Europol for forensic examination, clarifying that the European agency reviewed files and findings produced by Cypriot investigators rather than conducting its own analysis of the original hardware.
The clarification followed earlier public statements about Europol’s role in the investigation into allegations publicised by journalist Makarios Drousiotis.
Police clarification
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, police spokesman Vyron Vyronos said mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices seized during the investigation remained in Cyprus.
He said authorities instead sent records, digital files and the results of forensic examinations carried out locally for Europol to assess and verify.
According to Vyronos, Europol reviewed the material submitted by Cypriot investigators and confirmed the conclusions reached by local authorities.
He said the process followed established procedures and was not the result of any request by Europol that devices should not be sent for examination.
Earlier statements
At a police press conference last week, police chief Themistos Arnaoutis said Europol had confirmed findings already reached by Cypriot laboratories.
Public statements made during that briefing gave the impression that original electronic devices had also been examined by Europol specialists.
Forensic process
Digital forensic examinations are typically conducted directly on original devices to establish authenticity, identify metadata and determine whether files or communications have been altered.
In this case, the original examinations were carried out by Cypriot forensic laboratories before the resulting material was forwarded to Europol for verification, despite the cabinet’s approval that the files in question, as well as any devices handed over or seized in the investigation, be sent to Europol.