The possibility of appointing an independent criminal investigator in the Sandy case has been definitively ruled out, with the Council of Ministers withdrawing from any further involvement in the investigative process, according to CNA sources.
Europol's findings are expected imminently, potentially within the coming days, while the FBI remains in continuous cooperation with the Cyprus Police. According to the same sources, following the most recent briefing by the Chief of Police, no further intervention is required on the part of the government, as the investigative process is proceeding normally and the relevant reports from Europol and the FBI are now awaited.
The sources confirmed that the scenario of appointing a criminal investigator has been closed definitively, and that neither the minister nor the Council of Ministers is intervening in the process.
The development follows a briefing given to the Justice Minister by the Chief of Police on the report of the special investigative team examining the Sandy case. According to the same sources, that briefing related exclusively to the procedures followed in the course of the investigation and not to the substance or findings of the case. Once the investigative work is complete, the file will be transmitted to the Law Office of the Republic, which will examine the material and decide on the next steps. On the question of public disclosure, sources indicated that any communication will be handled in a manner that does not prejudice potential legal proceedings.
The Europol reports are expected within the coming days, while the FBI report remains pending. The reports concern procedural aspects of the investigation, including the number of witness statements taken, forensic examinations conducted and other investigative actions, rather than substantive findings or conclusions on the case itself.
Source: CNA
