Police bank account searches have found no evidence to support claims that large sums of money were moved abroad through companies or through Sandy, according to Philenews sources.
Investigators obtained court orders to open the accounts of individuals named as having given money to the 45-year-old, and the commercial banks complied, the sources said. Sandy’s own accounts were among those examined. The financial investigation found nothing incriminating.
According to Philenews, the bank findings corroborate Sandy’s claim from the outset that everything was her own fabrication, produced using an application on her mobile phone, and subsequently handed to lawyer Nicos Clerides for safekeeping. The findings are consistent with messages that were accompanied by photographs stolen from the internet, as well as audio recordings that investigators believe were not genuine.
Sandy’s lengthy testimony last Friday has, according to Philenews sources, effectively resolved the key outstanding questions in the case.
During that session, she took full responsibility, describing how she heard names through conversations or from various sources, researched those individuals online and then compiled the messages.
She sent them to Clerides and continued to answer his follow-up questions in the same vein. Philenews reports that investigators pressed her hard during the session to clarify specific matters and provide detailed answers, and that the level of detail she provided was consistent with someone who had full knowledge of the scenario she had constructed.
Investigators noted she had at times written incoherent content to back up her claims, including a reference to Greek Deputy Minister Giorgos Mylonakis and a purported audio recording of his alleged involvement.
Investigators are now awaiting two sets of specialist results: analysis by Europol experts into the messages’ authenticity, and a profile analysis of Sandy by FBI specialists. Philenews sources said it is estimated that neither inquiry will produce findings that overturn the picture established so far, though nothing has been ruled out.
Police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronos confirmed on Monday that the investigation continues, with further statements being taken on the substance and content of the messages, and that Europol results on their authenticity are still awaited. He said there had been no update from Europol on when it would deliver its findings to the Republic of Cyprus.
FBI researchers are in daily contact with Cypriot investigators, Vyronos said, evaluating the statements and data provided to them and preparing a report with their recommendations and assessment. A large number of statements have been taken so far, he said, adding that further individuals may need to be called as the investigation progresses, making it impossible to say whether it is nearing completion.
A psychologist and a lawyer were present during Sandy’s testimony sessions to provide support and legal advice.
Evidence seized from Clerides’s premises remains untouched. Investigators have not processed it, as they require telecommunications data processing orders, which have not been sought pending a Supreme Court ruling on whether the evidence will be frozen until Clerides’s main application to annul the search warrant is heard.
Background
Sandy is the woman at the centre of sexual abuse and corruption allegations made public by investigative journalist and Volt candidate Makarios Drousiotis in a social media post in late March. Drousiotis alleged the existence of an organised network involving current and former officials, judges and political figures.
All those named in his allegations have denied wrongdoing. Sandy’s accounts were placed with Clerides, who Philenews previously reported received the messages without knowing they had been fabricated.
Former Cyprus Bar Association president Christos Clerides confirmed he received material related to the case during his tenure and urged a police complaint that was never filed.
