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Cyprus has requested technical assistance from the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom and France as authorities investigate a leaked video that officials describe as a possible hybrid attack involving manipulated audiovisual material.
The video, which surfaced Thursday on the social media platform X, purports to show conversations involving senior political and business figures and references to suspicious financing and investments. Cypriot authorities say its authenticity is under investigation and warn against drawing conclusions while forensic and criminal probes are ongoing.
Speaking Saturday, Deputy Government Spokesperson Giannis Antoniou said Cyprus had been warned months in advance by EU partners in Brussels about potential hybrid threats, ahead of the country’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. He described the video as a mix of genuine footage combined with edited sound and images, citing “serious indications” of malicious manipulation and organized propaganda aimed at undermining the president’s integrity.
Antoniou urged caution, stressing that the situation must be carefully managed given Cyprus’ role as the EU Council’s presiding state. He called it “unfortunate” that some have rushed to adopt the video’s content before investigations are completed.
The issue quickly escalated politically. Later Saturday evening, the leadership of the Democratic Party (DIKO), the largest party supporting the government, convened an extended meeting to assess the fallout and align its public stance. The session followed an informal meeting at the Presidential Palace between President Nikos Christodoulides and DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos.
According to sources, the president briefed party officials on what authorities describe as a hybrid attack, including intelligence assessments examining a possible foreign, including Russian, footprint. Despite the briefing, DIKO’s leadership is reportedly pressing for further actions, including scrutiny of the continued role of the director of the president’s office and changes to the management of a specific state fund referenced in the controversy.
This morning, the Cyprus News Agency reported that the Republic of Cyprus had formally sought assistance from specialized foreign teams to support investigations already under way. Police are working closely with the Legal Service, while forensic analyses are being conducted by the Electronic Crime Sub-Directorate and the Forensic Science Service.
Former Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis, one of the individuals appearing in the video, has already given a formal statement to police and submitted material now under evaluation. Authorities say the scope of the investigation covers the entire video, as well as the origin of the social media account that published it and any links associated with the material.
Police officials emphasized that the investigation is specific and ongoing, but did not say whether additional individuals featured in the video will be questioned.
Government officials continue to frame the case as both a criminal and national-security matter, warning that premature judgments could amplify the impact of what they say may be a coordinated disinformation effort.
With information from Kathimerini Cyprus, RIK, and CNA.
