Alpha News

Cyprus Intelligence Points to Russian Involvement in Controversial Video Leak

Published January 9, 2026, 19:17

Following the release of the video, former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis testified to the Police, presenting documents regarding his conversations with the alleged Dutch investors. He claims that his statements in the video have been edited to distort the context of the discussions and harm the country. According to his testimony, the investors approached him two years ago for a €150 million investment plan in the energy sector, which was discussed with Giorgos Chrysoschos in meetings in London and the Netherlands. The Police investigation is expected to extend abroad, with the assistance of Europol and Interpol. The video and the X account are under investigation by the Cybercrime Unit, however, the investigation is hampered by the disappearance of the "investors" and the platform's policy of not providing user information. The CYPRUS Intelligence Service (KΥΠ) has identified a Russian footprint behind the leak of the video, considering it an attempt to manipulate public opinion and engage in hybrid warfare, given the timing of the leak during Cyprus' Presidency of the European Union. Questions are raised about how foreign agents managed to gain access to information from the Presidential Palace. Parties and lawyers are calling for the immediate intervention of the MOKAS (Unit for Combating Economic Crime and Corruption) and the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority to thoroughly investigate the case and assign responsibility.