Investigations into the “Sandy” case are entering a critical phase, with Cyprus Police preparing for the arrival of specialists from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while forensic analysis by Europol remains ongoing.
Police spokesperson Vyron Vyronos told CNA that coordination with the FBI is under way, with a new round of contacts expected to determine the timing of the team’s arrival in Cyprus “as soon as possible”.
He said the Chief of Police had already held an initial communication with US counterparts, with a follow-up expected to finalise arrangements. No details have yet been confirmed regarding the size of the team.
No clear timeline for FBI presence
Vyronos said substantive cooperation with the American experts will begin upon their arrival, noting that they specialise in the analysis of witness statements and testimonial evidence.
He added that there is no estimate for how long the team will remain in Cyprus, stressing that the objective of the collaboration is to accelerate the investigation.
The FBI unit involved has decades of experience in evaluating statements and evidential material in serious cases, he said, although the exact scope of its contribution in this case has not yet been defined. “They have tools and methods that produce better results and will guide us,” he noted.
Europol analysis ongoing
On Europol’s involvement, Vyronos confirmed that forensic examination of submitted evidence is still in progress, with daily communication and information exchange between authorities.
However, he said there is no specific timeline for completion, as this depends on the volume and nature of the material being analysed.
He also indicated that the final findings are unlikely to be made public in full, suggesting they may instead be used as part of the broader investigative process.
Statements still being collected
The investigation is already at an advanced stage, Vyronos said, with a large number of statements taken. The investigative team continues both to analyse existing material and to gather additional testimony where necessary.
Source: CNA