Nicosia, Cyprus. The criminal investigation into the Videogate affair will continue until July 20 after attorney-general George Savvides approved a request from independent criminal investigator Andreas Paschalides for more time to complete the inquiry. Paschalides said the extension was needed to complete the collection and assessment of evidence that had only recently come into investigators’ possession.
Extension approved
Paschalides confirmed on Monday that the additional time will be used to finalise the gathering of material considered essential to the case and to evaluate evidence received during the latest stages of the investigation.
The extension delays the anticipated submission of Paschalides’ findings to Savvides, which had previously been expected tomorrow.
Background to the case
The investigation was launched following the publication in January of a video circulated online by an account operating under the name Emily Thomson.
The footage prompted allegations involving political figures, business interests and questions surrounding influence, campaign financing and major investment decisions.
Legal process
Legal observers have repeatedly cautioned against assuming that any findings by the criminal investigator would automatically lead to criminal prosecutions.
Lawyer Simos Angelides recently said that any determination by investigators regarding possible offences would be subject to an independent assessment by the legal service.
“It is not a given or automatic that if a finding is made by the criminal investigator that there is indeed evidence of some criminal offences, that a case will proceed,” Angelides said.
He said prosecutors would ultimately decide whether the available evidence supports further legal action.