The month of scandals that shook Cyprus

By Rafaela Dimitriadi

It started with an assault allegation. It ended with resignations, suspended mayors, police probes, leaked videos, and a political system scrambling to contain the damage. In the space of a few weeks, a single complaint against a ruling-party MP detonated into a rolling crisis that exposed how power, impunity, social media, and justice now collide in Cyprus, often publicly, often chaotically, and rarely in isolation.

Sykas sets the stage

Sunday, January 4:

The partner of DISY MP Nikos Sykas files a complaint against him, alleging physical assault. According to her statement to the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department, the incident allegedly occurred during a trip to Athens.

“Assault" resurfaces

Tuesday, January 6:

Medical documents dated 2017 circulate on social media, reportedly from the Accident and Emergency Department of Nicosia General Hospital. The documents allegedly concern an examination of the wife of Paphos Mayor Louiza Andreou following an incident described in the records as “assault by spouse.” The examination is said to have taken place on March 13, 2017.

Request to lift immunity

Wednesday, January 7:

Three days after filing the complaint, Sykas’ partner withdraws it. Despite this, police investigations continue as normal. On the same day, the Legal Service announces it has submitted a request to the Supreme Court to lift Nikos Sykas’ parliamentary immunity.

Video leak and political shockwaves

Thursday, January 8:

A controversial video is published on platform X by an anonymous account, making reference to alleged “shadow funds of the President of Cyprus.” Appearing in the video are former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, Presidential Office Director Charalambos Charalambous, and Cyfield Group CEO Giorgos Chryssochos.

The government responds hours later, dismissing the claims as fabricated lies aimed at damaging both the government and the country.

First Lady resigns

Sunday, January 11:

Following the leaked video and growing controversy over the alleged involvement of the Social Support Agency, the First Lady resigns from the organization. Philippa Karsera Christodoulides speaks of the spread of fake news and defamatory commentary.

Second resignation over video

Monday, January 12:

Presidential Office Director Charalambos Charalambous resigns. President Nikos Christodoulides accepts the resignation, describing it as “an act of self-confidence.”

Independent investigator appointed

Tuesday, January 13:

The Legal Service appoints independent criminal investigator Andreas Paschalidis to assist police in the investigation related to the video.

Tsikkini enters the fray

Thursday, January 15:

Through her lawyer, the First Lady demands the removal and cessation of social media posts made by Nicoleta Tsikkini, secretary of the Limassol District group of the ALMA movement. Karsera Christodoulides describes the posts as unfounded, harmful and defamatory.
Tsikkini responds, accusing the First Lady of attempting to silence her.

Sykas' immunity lifted

Thursday, January 15:

The Supreme Court rules to lift MP Nikos Sykas’ parliamentary immunity so he can be questioned over the alleged assault of his partner.

Removed from the ballot

Monday, January 19:

DISY’s Political Bureau decides not to include Nikos Sykas on the party’s ballot for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Fidias and EU funds

Tuesday, January 20:

Media reports speak of a complaint and investigation involving MEP Fidias Panayiotou over alleged misuse of EU funds. Panayiotou says he is unaware of any wrongdoing.

13 warrants for “Annie Alexoui”

Wednesday, January 21:

Police announce they are seeking Ioanna Fotiou, known online as Annie Alexui. A frequent social media figure, she regularly posts videos claiming to expose scandals involving police, prisons, drug networks and organized crime.
Alexui responds publicly: “I’m not hiding.”

“Shame on you, Fidias”

Saturday, January 25:

A video circulates online showing Fidias Panayiotou making a derogatory remark about athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Strong condemnation follows from the Cyprus Sports Organisation for the Disabled and the Cyprus Paralympic Committee, which state that the comment cannot be dismissed as humor or a momentary lapse.

"The road is long"

Monday, January 26:

The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottides, intervenes, stating, “The road toward equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and a society without degrading exclusions remains long.”

Police reopen assault case

Monday, January 26:

Police announce an ex officio investigation into the alleged assault of Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos’ wife, triggered by material published on social media by Ioanna Fotiou.

On the same day, the mayor makes his first public statement, claiming an attempt to politically destroy him. “I welcome the investigation to clear my name. And afterward, it will be my turn to speak,” he says.

His wife also issues a statement denying all reports, insisting she never filed a complaint or gave any statement to police.

“Sorry, I was wrong”

Tuesday, January 27:

Fidias Panayiotou acknowledges his mistake regarding the offensive remark while simultaneously pointing to political motives behind the backlash.

No disclosure of donors

Tuesday, January 27:

The Republic’s Auditor General and treasurer of the Social Support Agency, Andreas Antoniades, announces he will not submit the names of the agency’s donors or their contributions since 2020 to the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions.

Lakkotrypis' permits

Wednesday, January 28:

The Committee on Institutions opens a discussion on conflicts of interest involving former officials, focusing on the controversial video and work permits granted to Giorgos Lakkotrypis before the two-year cooling-off period expired.

Phedonos' wife asks for investigation to stop

Friday, January 30:

Louiza Andreou, wife of Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos, sends a letter to police requesting the investigation against her husband be halted.
The same day, businessman Aristos Aristodimou says he is ready to testify in a case he claims implicates the mayor. A decade earlier, he had publicly accused Phedonos on live television of extortion and rape.

Another mayor in trouble

Friday, January 30:

The Legal Service informs the Interior Ministry that another mayor, unrelated to the Paphos case, is facing criminal prosecution, with the matter already before the courts.

Testimony that "tied" Phedonos

Tuesday, February 3:

After hours-long testimony to police, the alleged victim in a case revived by businessman Theodoros Aristodimou reportedly described acts of sexual abuse.

Mayors suspended

Wednesday, February 4:

The Interior Minister places Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos and Lefkoniko Mayor Pieris Gypsiotis on suspension.

DISY also suspends them

Thursday, February 5:

DISY’s Executive Bureau decides to suspend both mayors from party bodies for the duration of their suspension.

The “office” that is a villa

Thursday, February 4:

A Cyprus Times report reveals a rental agreement showing that Fidias Panayiotou’s declared “office” is, in fact, a private residence.

Party at the "office"

Thursday, February 5:

Panayiotou responds, speaking of a political war “since the rise of 'Direct Democracy' in the polls.” On the same day, videos surface online from his partner’s account showing preparations for a large birthday party at the very same “office.”