Police investigations into the ‘Sandy’ case are entering a critical phase pending the arrival of FBI experts to assist in inquiries over the allegations made against prominent personalities, while Europol is continuing its forensic analysis of evidence.

Police spokesman Vyron Vyronos told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday that procedures were under way to coordinate with the FBI, so that the specialised team could arrive in Cyprus “the soonest possible”.

The government enlisted the help of the FBI following allegations made by journalist Makarios Drousiotis, implicating a number of high-profile figures.

“The chief of police spoke with them yesterday [Tuesday] and we expect that today [Wednesday] there will be a second communication” so that the agents, who are “specialists in analysing testimonies”, could arrive soon, Vyronos said.

“They have some tools and methods that bring better results and they will inform us,” he added.

He could not, however, say how many FBI agents would be comprising the team or how long they would be staying.

“The reason we are requesting this cooperation is to conclude the investigation in the soonest possible time,” Vyronos explained.

Referring to Europol’s involvement, Vyronos said the forensic analysis of evidence is ongoing and that communication and the exchange of information happens on a daily basis.

Vyronos said there was no deadline for Europol to wrap up the analysis, as it depended on the volume and nature of the evidence.

He also said the final results would probably not be published but used in the context of the whole investigation.

Investigations, he added, were at a “very advanced stage”, with a large number of statements already taken.