The woman known as Sandy is currently before investigators giving a statement for the fourth time in a month, as the inquiry into allegations at the centre of the high-profile case approaches what sources described as a decisive stage, philenews reported.
Investigators called Sandy back to answer detailed questions about all issues that have arisen in the course of the inquiry and, in particular, to explain how she came to be in possession of the dozens of messages at the heart of the case, sources told philenews.
The move is understood by investigators to be a clarification of what Sandy has already stated and of her acknowledgement that she was, sources said, “seized by fiction” — taking real elements and building false narratives around them. Investigators want to establish in precise detail how names were selected around which messages were subsequently constructed and made to appear as though they had been sent in various directions, sources said.
This is Sandy’s fourth statement since the serious allegations made by Makarios Drousiotis were submitted approximately one month ago. Those allegations concerned well-known cases that have occupied public attention in recent years, along with claims relating to the alleged involvement of a former judicial figure.
The timing of Sandy’s recall before investigators is assessed by sources as unlikely to be unconnected to the presence of the FBI specialists now working on the case. The FBI team, based on the information with which they are being briefed, will offer an opinion on whether they agree with Sandy’s position that everything is a product of fabrication, or whether something else is at play, sources said.
The answers and explanations Sandy provides will determine investigators’ next steps and will largely shape the final outcome of the case, sources told philenews.
Context
The investigation stems from a social media post by Drousiotis, a writer and parliamentary candidate, titled “Paedophilia, sell-offs, surveillance and rigged trials,” in which he named judges, senior officials and politicians, including former President Anastasiades.
The post included images presented as text message exchanges between political and judicial figures and referenced the surveillance van case, the Focus maritime investigation and loan sale arrangements under Project Helix.
Central to the allegations is a woman identified as Sandy, whom Drousiotis presented as a key witness to an alleged organised network involving current and former officials, judges and political figures.
Former Supreme Court judge Michalakis Christodoulou has acknowledged knowing Sandy, saying he met her between 2020 and 2021 and described his involvement as supportive. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Lawyer Nicos Clerides had previously brought material related to the case to former Bar Association president Christos Clerides, who urged that a police complaint be filed. The complaint was never made. All those named in the allegations have denied wrongdoing. The allegations remain unverified.
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