Cyprus police conclude investigation into the Sandy case

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Cyprus Police announced that an extensive investigation into the so-called 'Sandy' case found no evidence to support allegations made by journalist Makarios Drousiotis. Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis stated at a press conference in Nicosia that the claims, which included accusations of sexual abuse of a minor, corruption, surveillance, and interference in state institutions, were false and fabricated. The investigation involved a large team of officers and utilized international assistance from the FBI and Europol, both of which reviewed the submitted evidence. Forensic examinations of digital data, including SMS messages and USB drives, indicated that the material provided was not authentic. The police noted that certain claims were debunked through official records and witness testimony. Consequently, the authorities have issued instructions to investigate potential criminal offenses related to the fabrication of messages and online posts. Senior police officials, including Marios Ayiotis and Panikos Stavrou, were present at the briefing to confirm the findings.