Cyprus has been thrust into a political storm just as it assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, following the resignation of the head of the president’s administration amid a scandal involving leaked recordings. On 12 January 2026, The Bell reported that Charalambos Charalambous stepped down after a secretly recorded video surfaced on the social platform X, allegedly showing senior officials discussing corruption schemes, including assistance to Russians in circumventing EU sanctions, as detailed in an investigation published by The Bell.
Charalambous said he was the target of a “targeted campaign” aimed at damaging President Nikos Christodoulides, undermining the government and harming Cyprus’s international image. The resignation has intensified scrutiny of the timing and origins of the leak, given the country’s new coordinating role within the EU.
Allegations, denials and an opaque video
The video allegedly captures discussions about bypassing restrictions on campaign financing through cash donations and a system allowing businessmen privileged access to the president and first lady. It also refers to corporate “social contributions” to the AFKS charity foundation, led until 11 January by first lady Philippa Karsera, who announced her withdrawal from the organisation shortly before the scandal escalated.
Cypriot authorities have rejected the accusations and described the video as part of a hybrid attack designed to discredit the government and the state. Officials stress that the authenticity of the recording has not been established and that publication of a covertly recorded clip alone does not constitute proof without independent technical and legal examination.
Possible sanctions breach raises EU stakes
If the allegations were to be substantiated, the implications would extend well beyond Cyprus. Any verified assistance in helping Russians evade EU sanctions would pose a direct challenge to the bloc’s collective sanctions architecture and its credibility in enforcing measures against Russia. In such a scenario, Cyprus and the European Commission would face pressure to conduct a comprehensive investigation and close any identified loopholes.
Legal experts argue that the principle of the rule of law requires an institutional, not political, response. A transparent inquiry involving European structures would be essential to maintaining public trust in the EU’s sanctions regime, particularly at a moment when unity over policy towards Moscow and support for Ukraine remains under strain.
Disinformation concerns and hybrid warfare angle
Cypriot security officials have also raised the possibility that the scandal may be the product of a coordinated disinformation operation. They point to signs of selective editing, narrative amplification around corruption and techniques resembling known Russian information campaigns, including operations described as part of the so-called “Doppelgänger” model used against several Western states since 2021.
If confirmed, this would shift the episode from a domestic controversy to an element of hybrid pressure against an EU member state at a sensitive political moment. Law enforcement agencies believe the timing, immediately after Cyprus assumed the EU Council presidency, may be intended to undermine trust in the country’s ability to act as an effective and impartial coordinator.
International investigation and broader implications
Cyprus has sought assistance from the intelligence services of the United States, Israel, United Kingdom and France to trace the origin of the video and identify those responsible. Officials say the goal is not only to establish the facts of the case but also to understand whether the country has been targeted as part of a wider effort to destabilise EU decision-making.
Regardless of the outcome, the episode underscores the vulnerability of democratic institutions to hybrid threats that exploit leaks, social media and public mistrust. For the EU, the challenge will be twofold: determining the truth behind the Cyprus scandal and strengthening collective resilience against disinformation campaigns that seek to fracture unity at critical political junctures.
