"The Cyprus Police certified the authenticity of the audiovisual material delivered to investigators in the VideoGate case," Antonis Demetriou, lawyer for Black Cube, told Politis Radio 107.6 and 97.6.
According to Demetriou, the material is neither fabricated nor false, while the selection of excerpts from a total of 26 hours of recordings does not, in his view, alter the meaning of what was said.
Demetriou clarified that he represents Black Cube's chief executive officer and two company operatives who participated in the interviews with political figures. He said the company employs around 120 people, including lawyers, and that legal opinions had been obtained from the Netherlands and England before the recordings were made.
According to him, the chief executive travelled to Cyprus three times and gave three statements, while the two operatives each provided one statement. He stressed that his clients fully cooperated with the Cypriot authorities after the authenticity of the material had been confirmed.
He further revealed that the 26 hours of footage include another political figure who is no longer active in politics, although he said he does not know why that individual was not included in the eight-minute video.
According to Demetriou, the conversations contained references to access to the Presidential Palace, bypassing laws and financing election campaigns.
At the same time, he made clear that there is no communication with the President of the Republic in the material.
He added that, according to statements given by his clients, Black Cube does not work for states, political parties or political figures, but for business purposes.
Demetriou also defended the professional competence of the criminal investigator, arguing that disagreement with his findings does not justify undermining him.
Finally, he argued that corrupt intent is required in order to establish improper influence, while admitting that what was recorded saddened and offended him. He also said he does not know the identity of the client, nor whether additional material exists beyond what has already been handed over.
He concluded by noting that, "according to what the Black Cube CEO testified to the Police, the company does not act on behalf of states, political figures or political parties, but for business purposes."
