AKEL and DISY clash over spy van inquiry findings

AKEL and DISY are locked in a fresh dispute over the so-called spy van case, as reported by Sigmalive. AKEL issued a statement responding to DISY's claims of "political interference," reiterating its demand for a full investigation and the publication of the Ilias Stefanou report, which it says remains locked in the drawers of the Legal Service.

In its statement, AKEL said DISY broke days of silence on the surveillance scandal only to target AKEL rather than address the substance of the case. The party argued that if DISY is genuinely looking for political interference, it should look in the mirror.

AKEL pointed to what it described as political interference by DISY in the granting of a passport and a firearms licence to Sahak Avni, a co-owner of the black van. It also alleged that a request was promoted through the office of the DISY president to the Ministry of Commerce to grant the other co-owner, Tal Dilian, an export licence for surveillance software to the Netherlands.

The party further claimed that the surveillance company was able to operate illegally in Cyprus during the DISY government, citing Dilian's own admission that the firm works "only with governments and law enforcement authorities."

According to AKEL, its only political intervention in the case has been to publicly denounce the surveillance scandal and demand a thorough investigation and the release of the Stefanou report. It said DISY must explain to citizens why it fears full scrutiny and transparency.