Cyprus authorities seek legal mechanism to obtain testimony from wanted woman in Russia

The Cypriot Ministry of Justice, in coordination with the Legal Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is exploring legal avenues to obtain testimony and evidence from 43-year-old Ioanna Photiou, also known as Annie Alexui. Photiou is currently in Russia and is wanted by Cypriot authorities under international and European arrest warrants for allegedly spreading false news. Justice Minister Costas Fytiris has instructed officials to find a way to collect her evidence while navigating jurisdictional hurdles, as Cypriot police lack authority in Russia. Proposed solutions include sending a two-member team consisting of a criminal investigator and a ministry official to Moscow, rather than active police officers. Photiou has publicly rejected the temporary suspension of her arrest warrants, demanding their full cancellation instead, and has expressed a lack of trust in Cypriot institutions. She also stated that some material was delivered to authorities by third parties without her consent and is considering filing a case with the European Court of Human Rights. Currently, no final decision has been reached, and the process awaits approval from Russian authorities, who have not yet confirmed her asylum status.