Police investigations into the case involving the woman known as “Sandy” are expected to enter a decisive phase next week, as investigators await bank data, Europol findings and support from FBI specialists.
The investigation team is continuing to take statements from people named in messages linked to older cases that had previously drawn public attention. However, investigators do not expect significant findings from this stage, as they do not believe there is enough background material for in-depth questioning.
Three areas are expected to determine the outcome of the investigation: the financial inquiry and the data to be provided by banks on specific individuals; Europol’s examination of messages and audio files; and the FBI specialists’ analysis of statements and data relating to “Sandy”.
Commercial banks are expected to begin providing information next week on accounts opened in relation to persons involved in the case. Investigators want to establish whether money was moved abroad through the 45-year-old woman in connection with the Rosicrucian Brotherhood. If that is confirmed, the facts of the case would change.
Europol’s contribution is also expected to be crucial, as it will either support or dispute what has been published regarding the authenticity of the messages. FBI specialists are expected to assess whether “Sandy’s” statements and overall behaviour are credible, and to what extent.
Phileleftheros understands that inquiries will also be carried out at the school attended by the 45-year-old woman’s child, to establish who was declared as the father during enrolment. The woman is also expected to be called again for questioning on aspects that have come to light, although investigators are expected to wait until they have a full picture from the financial inquiry. Police also have a medical report concerning “Sandy”, which is being assessed.
Police spokesman Vyronas Vyronos said on Friday that investigations are at an advanced stage, but not close to completion. He said a large number of statements had already been taken and more were expected, with investigators working systematically to conclude as soon as possible. “When that will be, however, we cannot predict,” he added.
Asked by Phileleftheros when the FBI experts would arrive, or how many would be on the team, Vyronos said he could not give an exact date. It is estimated, however, that they will arrive next week and that their stay will not last many days.
He clarified that the role of the US investigators will be supportive. They will assist Cypriot police investigators with their experience in handling similar cases worldwide, as well as with the tools available to them. The US team will not take over the investigation but will help in several areas of analysis of the statements being collected, he said.
On Monday, the Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to grant lawyer Nicos Clerides permission to seek the cancellation of the search warrant for his premises, and whether to freeze the processing of data seized by police as evidence.
In a separate development, journalist and author Makarios Drousiotis announced on social media that he had decided to send his complaints regarding the “Sandy” case to European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi in the coming days, following strong reactions to Kövesi’s remarks at the annual Delphi Forum about corruption in the Greek public sector.