Alpha News

Political Storm Brews Over 'Emily Thompson' Video Leak

Published January 9, 2026, 19:16

A video posted on X by an account named "Emily Thompson" has caused a political earthquake in Cyprus. The video contains conversations between former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, Presidential Office Director Charalambos Charalambous, and Cyfield Director Giorgos Chrysoschos, implying funding for the presidential campaign of current President Christodoulides. According to the video, they discuss ways to circumvent legal limits on funding, as well as the Presidential Office Director's mediation to secure cash from large companies like Cyfield. The Government responds to the allegations by stating that it is not accountable for claims made outside of it, while the Police have launched an investigation, with the assistance of Europol and Interpol. Giorgos Lakkotrypis testified to the Police, claiming that his statements had been edited and distorted. The CYPRUS Intelligence Service (KΥΠ) appears to see a Russian footprint behind the leak of the video, considering it an attempt at hybrid warfare to harm Cyprus, especially now that it holds the 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 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.