Anti-corruption authority terminates investigation into the 'black van' case

On September 14, 2026, the Independent Authority Against Corruption in Cyprus announced the immediate termination of its investigation into the so-called 'black van' surveillance case. The probe, which had been expanded by the Authority earlier this year, was officially halted following a formal communication from the Legal Service of the Republic.

The Legal Service informed the Authority that the specific issues it intended to investigate had already been addressed by competent state authorities, including the Police and independent criminal investigators appointed in previous years. Citing Article 10 of the Law on the Establishment and Operation of the Independent Authority Against Corruption (2022), which prohibits multiple investigations into the same subject matter, the Authority stated it was legally bound to cease its activities. The correspondence between the two institutions, initiated on July 16, 2026, remains classified at the request of the Legal Service.

The decision has triggered political reactions, with the 'Alma' movement calling on the President of Cyprus to initiate proceedings for the dismissal of the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General, citing a major institutional crisis. The case, which first surfaced in 2019, involves allegations of illegal surveillance and potential conflicts of interest, including complaints filed by former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides in 2023.

With the formal termination of this inquiry and the classification of relevant files, no further actions or disclosures regarding the Authority's investigation are expected.