Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou has denied any official knowledge of an investigation into the potential misappropriation of European funds, following reports that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the EU’s anti-fraud agency (OLAF) are reviewing allegations against him.
Speaking to philenews’s Frixos Dalitis in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the independent MEP dismissed the claims as politically motivated, though he confirmed he intends to release a social media video to address the matter more fully in the coming days.
The allegations, which were reportedly referred to the EPPO by the Cyprus Anti-Corruption Authority following anonymous complaints, involve the potential misuse of parliamentary allowances.
Investigators are examining whether funds intended for the rental of a political office were instead used to pay for Panayiotou’s private residence in Limassol. Furthermore, the probe is looking into potential fraud related to the financing of his “Direct Democracy” party’s application, which was allegedly funded through EU resources.
Panayiotou told philenews that he has received no formal notification of a probe, adding that the timing of the leaks suggests they are intended to influence future electoral processes.