Europol did not examine original digital devices in Sandy investigation
Police clarified that the electronic devices seized during the Sandy investigation remained in Cyprus. Europol assessed files and findings produced by the Cypriot authorities.
Europol did not examine original digital devices in Sandy investigation
The Police provided clarifications on Tuesday regarding Europol's role in the investigation concerning journalist Makarios Drousiotis. According to an official statement, the electronic devices seized during the investigations were never sent to the European agency for direct analysis.
Police Press Officer Byron Byronos told the Cyprus Mail that mobile phones, computers and other digital equipment remained in the country. The Cypriot authorities conducted the examinations at a local level and subsequently transmitted the results, together with the relevant files, to Europol for assessment.
The European agency studied the material submitted and verified the conclusions reached by the Cypriot laboratory units. Mr. Byronos emphasised that the procedure followed the established method of operation and did not result from any request by Europol not to send the equipment.
The clarification comes following public statements that created the impression that the original devices had been examined directly by specialists from the European agency. During a press conference held the previous week, Police Chief Themistoklis Arnaoutis had stated that Europol had confirmed the findings of the Cypriot laboratories.
The difference is significant, as digital forensic examinations are usually conducted directly on original devices in order to ensure authenticity, locate metadata, and determine whether there has been interference with files or communications.
In the present case, the initial examinations were carried out by Cypriot laboratories and the resulting material was forwarded to Europol for verification. This occurred despite the fact that the Cabinet had approved the sending of both the files and the seized devices to the European agency.
The Sandy case concerns material that was made public through the journalist and includes screenshots, documents, spreadsheets and other digital content. This material formed the basis of allegations concerning corruption, abuse of power, extortion and interference by individuals from the political, judicial and financial spheres.
Following extensive investigation, the Police concluded that no evidence emerged to support the allegations. The authorities stated that witness statements, forensic examinations and documented data contradict fundamental allegations contained in the material.
Source: Cyprus Mail
Source: Cyprus Mail