The terms of reference given to the criminal investigator tasked with examining the controversial video case are broad and multi-layered, Attorney General Giorgos Savvidis said on Wednesday, stressing that the investigation has been under way since the moment the case became public.

Speaking to reporters at the House of Representatives, Savvidis said the mandate granted to criminal investigator Andreas Paschalides covers all circumstances that could potentially point to the existence of a hybrid attack. He underlined that the investigation did not begin today, but has been ongoing from the outset of the affair.

“As of the first moment, the leadership of the Law Office has been in contact with the Chief of Police, and the investigation spans multiple directions, both in Cyprus and abroad,” he said.

Scope includes possible international dimension

Savvidis clarified that the appointment of the criminal investigator was communicated both to himself and to the Chief of Police, adding that the next steps concern the continuation and deepening of investigative actions already in progress. He noted that discussions may currently be taking place to define the directions, sections and sub-sections of the inquiry.

“The terms of reference are very broad, and consequently the areas the investigation will cover are multifaceted,” he said, calling for understanding and cautioning that it would be inappropriate to provide daily updates or detailed disclosures on the progress of the case.

On the international dimension, the Attorney General said testimonies will also be taken from abroad. Beyond its own technical examinations of the video, the police will send the material to competent authorities outside Cyprus and request legal assistance, given the nature of the case.

Europol involvement and platform cooperation

Asked about possible assistance from platform X, Savvidis limited himself to saying that there are specific lines of inquiry, evidence, statements and individuals that will need to be assessed. He declined to comment on specific investigative targets.

Police have already confirmed that Cyprus has requested the involvement of Europol to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the video.

Attorney General on Videogate Probe: Broad Mandate Given to Criminal Investigator