Allegations of wife-beating made against Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos first surfaced in 2017, it emerged on Tuesday, as police look into medical documents leaked online purportedly showing the mayor’s spouse had suffered physical assault.

A day earlier, police confirmed they were investigating claims made on social media regarding the alleged beating of Louisa Andreou, the mayor’s wife. Both the mayor and his spouse dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign, attributing political motives to the affair.

Andreou added that she never filed a complaint.

Weighing in, former police chief Kypros Michaelides recalled that the allegations surfaced in the “2018-2019 timeframe”.

Police had investigated at the time, but the case went nowhere due to lack of evidence.

People summoned for depositions did not cooperate, Michaelides said. Police were forced to close the file.

However the documents leaked online by a social media influencer going by the handle of ‘Annie Alexui’ refer to the 2017 period.

The first purported document is dated March 13, 2017. At 7.15pm a patient by the name of Louisa Andreou signed in at the accident and emergency unit at Nicosia general hospital.

In the ‘main symptom’ field on the document, there appears a handwritten note stating: “Beating by the husband.”

The second ostensible document concerns an X-ray taken on Andreou.

In the third document, in the ‘diagnosis’ field, there appears the following handwriting: “Reported beating.” It adds: “Lesions to the cranium, neck and femur.”

Separately, daily Phileleftheros said it has seen three “electronic entries” concerning the mayor’s wife.

The first shows her visiting the A&E unit on March 13, 2017. The second concerns an examination she underwent from an orthopaedic four days later. The third “electronic entry” purports to show Andreou visiting an orthopaedic again on May 30.

It’s understood that police are investigating the authenticity of the purported documents.

According to the newspaper, it has also obtained a letter alleging various wrongdoings by Phedonos – including domestic violence.

The letter’s date is unclear. Its apparent recipients included former president Nicos Anastasiades, the House president, the attorney-general, the police chief and political party leaders.

Police sources said they do not need a formal complaint to investigate allegations of battery, and a probe has already been launched.

Phedonos welcomed the police investigation, saying it would allow him to clear his name.

“And of course, after that it will be my turn to speak,” he added.

As for ‘Annie Alexui’, she is currently living in Russia, where she claims she has obtained asylum.

Her TikTok videos generate millions of views.

She is wanted by Cyprus police in connection with personal data violations, publishing fake news and online harassment.