Police search homes, offices of those implicated in Al Jazeera video

Police on Thursday searched the homes and offices of the people embroiled in the Al Jazeera video on the Cyprus Papers that caused ongoing political turmoil on the island.

The Cyprus News Agency reported that after securing search warrants, police on Thursday searched the homes and offices of the former House President Demetris Syllouris, the former AKEL MP Christakis Giovanis, and prominent lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, and collected evidence that will undergo scientific examination.

Cypriot police appear to have their plate full with three different probes into alleged corruption in the golden passport scheme, with investigators facing their biggest challenge by a shocking Al Jazeera video that dealt the fatal blow in the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Separate law enforcement teams of investigators are mounting three parallel probes in connection with the passport scandal, which was exposed by Al Jazeera news network and brought down the Republic of Cyprus’ CIP that is scheduled to be suspended at the end of the month.

One team is investigating breach of privacy following a complaint filed by Interior Minister Nicos Nouris. Police investigators are reportedly trying to ascertain the circumstances under which documents regarding information on naturalized foreign investors ended up in the hands of Al Jazeera.

Another team is following up on conclusions made by an initial probe led by Demetra Kalogerou, chairwoman for Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, who was recently appointed to a second independent investigation.

Finally police are also taking a look at a video published by Al Jazeera earlier this month, where undercover reporters with hidden cameras and microphones obtained damning footage after talking with high ranking politicians, realtors, and a lawyer.