Police under scrutiny following leak of confidential documents on social media

Cypriot police are facing significant criticism after a video posted by APOEL football fans on social media revealed sensitive investigative material. The leaked documents appeared to include original witness statements with signatures, as well as a medical report, sparking concerns over how confidential information is managed and secured by law enforcement.

AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou formally requested an investigation into the matter, addressing a letter to Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis on October 22. Stefanou questioned the security protocols governing witness depositions and medical documents, asserting that such sensitive data should be restricted to the police and the legal service. In response, police spokesperson Vyron Vyronos stated that while investigative material is routinely provided to parties involved in criminal proceedings, the specific origin of the footage is currently under internal review. Authorities have urged caution, labeling it premature to classify the incident as a breach of security until the investigation is complete.

The video has since been removed from the internet. The police are continuing to examine how these specific documents reached the public domain, as they maintain that the legal disclosure of evidence to involved parties is a standard judicial procedure.