Anti-corruption authority to issue statement on 'black van' case

Cyprus’s Independent Authority Against Corruption is scheduled to issue an official statement on Monday regarding the high-profile 'black van' surveillance case. Transparency Commissioner Haris Poyiadjis confirmed this during a session of the House Institutions Committee on Wednesday, following inquiries from MP Irene Charalambidou. While Poyiadjis declined to provide specific findings, the announcement marks a significant development in a case that has faced criticism regarding transparency and the effectiveness of investigative oversight.

The case originated in 2019 when former Israeli intelligence officer Tal Dilian, then CEO of WiSpear, demonstrated a surveillance-equipped vehicle in Larnaca. The system, valued at approximately €9 million, was capable of intercepting electronic communications. Following the demonstration, police launched an investigation, but the case was later closed, sparking widespread public debate. Opposition MPs, including Constantinos Constantinou of Akel, have called for a formal reopening to restore public trust, citing the lack of justification for previous decisions made under the guise of public interest.

During the committee session, participants also addressed the broader issue of the authority’s limited investigative powers. The Ministry of Justice, represented by General Director Giorgos Panteli, stated that a legislative bill intended to bolster the authority's mandate is currently under review. Charalambidou expressed concern regarding current delays, arguing that the existing legal framework hinders the effective handling of complex corruption probes.