corruption allegations — corruption allegations — Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades has publicly defended President Nikos Christodoulides in light of a controversial video that suggests illegal campaign financing. Vafeades stated that the President operates with “honesty, transparency and absolute respect for the institutions.”
In his remarks, delivered on Thursday, Vafeades asserted that every public debate issue is treated with seriousness and full respect for the rule of law. He remarked, “However, the allegations made in the released film are not accompanied by documented evidence or financial data that would establish an illegal act.”
The minister highlighted the government’s duty to inform citizens but stressed that this should not replace the ongoing investigation by the attorney-general and the police. He stated, “The overall evaluation requires checking its origin, authenticity and the full text in which it is included. The fragmentary presentation of conversations can lead to false impressions and cannot be the basis for safe conclusions.”
Vafeades further emphasised that corporate social responsibility initiatives are examined within their own framework and should not be linked to political funding or kickbacks without specific, documented evidence.
In his conclusion, Vafeades asserted that Christodoulides has demonstrated a commitment to respecting institutions, urging that every claim must be evaluated based on evidence rather than impressions.
The minister’s comments come as Attorney-General George Savvides confirmed that an investigation into the video is ongoing, both within Cyprus and abroad. An independent criminal investigator, Andreas Paschalides, has been appointed to assist in the inquiry.
