Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus police are examining leaked medical documents posted online that reportedly relate to allegations that Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos assaulted his wife, Louisa Andreou. Both Phedonos and Andreou have rejected the claims as politically motivated.
Police probe and denials
Police confirmed on Monday that they were investigating claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged beating of Andreou. Phedonos and his spouse dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign and attributed political motives to the affair, while Andreou said she never filed a complaint.
Previous investigation referenced by former police chief
Former police chief Kypros Michaelides said the allegations had surfaced in the “2018-2019 timeframe,” adding that police investigated at the time but the case did not proceed due to a lack of evidence. He said people summoned for depositions did not cooperate and police were forced to close the file.
Leaked documents said to refer to 2017
The documents posted online by a social media influencer using the handle ‘Annie Alexui’ refer to the 2017 period. The first purported document is dated March 13, 2017, and states that at 7.15pm a patient named Louisa Andreou signed in at the accident and emergency unit at Nicosia general hospital. In the “main symptom” field, a handwritten note appears stating: “Beating by the husband.” A second ostensible document concerns an X-ray taken on Andreou.
What steps should authorities take to assess the authenticity of leaked medical documents shared online?
