Cyprus’s president, Nikos Christodoulides, has rejected allegations linking his office to a “cash-for-access” scheme, after a viral video triggered the resignation of his chief of staff, Charalambos Charalambous, and prompted the first lady, Philippa Karsera, to step down from a senior charity role.
The 8.5-minute video, posted on X by a user calling herself Emily Thompson, claims that political access could be obtained through donations to a children’s charity. Government officials describe the footage as “malicious and edited”, suggesting a possible hybrid interference operation.
“In such moments of crisis, any leader, when his hands are clean, must be calm,” he told reporters on Monday (Jan. 12). “I am here. I am publicly taking a position. I have nothing to fear.”
Christodoulides says Cyprus’s intelligence and cybersecurity services — with support from EU partners — are tracing the video’s origins.
Key developments:
• Charalambous and former energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis deny wrongdoing.
• The president says donations never influenced policy or access.
• The controversy coincides with Cyprus’s EU Council presidency and elections in May 2026.
ℹ️ The Guardian
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