Debate over investigation into black surveillance van case

On September 16, 2026, lawyer Simos Aggelidis stated that the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority faces no legal obstacles to conducting a comprehensive investigation into the controversial "black van" surveillance case. This assertion follows a period of public friction between the Authority and the Office of the Attorney General regarding jurisdictional boundaries and the necessity of independent oversight.

The debate was reignited after the Authority announced on September 14, 2026, that it was terminating its proposed inquiry, citing information from the Legal Service that relevant issues had already been addressed by competent authorities. However, the Authority subsequently clarified on September 15 that its intended scope included an investigation into the Assistant Attorney General, casting doubt on the adequacy of previous probes. Aggelidis argues that as an independent body, the Authority has full legal standing to initiate its own investigation regardless of previous police or legal actions and should do so immediately to maintain its institutional credibility.

Currently, the Authority remains at a decision point, with pressure mounting from legal experts to formally declare whether it will proceed with a full-scale examination. The ongoing standoff highlights a significant disagreement concerning the independence of the body versus the coordination protocols with the Legal Service, leaving the future of the case in legal limbo.