Criminal investigator granted two-month extension for Videogate inquiry

Independent criminal investigator Andreas Paschalidis has been granted a two-month extension by the Attorney General to continue investigations into the video posted on January 8, 2026, on the 'Emily Thompson' X account. A meeting took place at the Attorney General's office, attended by the Assistant Attorney General, the Head of the Criminal Division, the Chief of Police, and police investigators, to review the progress of the case. Authorities have successfully secured the full-length video, which includes conversations only partially released online. Investigators are currently evaluating this footage and have collected a significant number of testimonies from within Cyprus and abroad. The investigation, colloquially referred to as 'Videogate,' centers on claims of corruption mechanisms within the Presidential Palace. The Attorney General approved the extension request to allow for the continued processing of evidence and witness statements. This development follows a period of investigative activity aimed at verifying the authenticity and context of the social media materials.