Phidias Panagiotou, a TikToker and MEP, is at the center of controversy following an encounter with families of missing persons at an event in the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, where Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on July 20.
A group representing missing persons approached Panagiotou, requesting his help through the European Parliament to raise awareness of Turkey’s stance, which hinders the search for individuals missing since 1974. According to their announcement, Panagiotou responded with derision and disparagement.
Instead of showing understanding, they report that he insulted them, refusing their request and saying things like: “You have a great idea of yourself” and “Hey, I have a missing uncle but I don’t act like this.”
Statement from the Association of Wives and Children of the Missing 1619
The association issued a strong statement attacking Panagiotou, highlighting an especially offensive remark he allegedly made to the daughter of a missing person: “It’s not only you, my daughter, who is an orphan.” Despite being called to account for his words, Panagiotou has yet to explain.
Concerns Over His Income
Panagiotou has made conflicting claims about his income. Despite stating in interviews that he earned €1,000,000 in one year from YouTube videos and receives around €50,000 monthly as a TikToker and YouTuber, he declared an income of only €1,200 per month as a company director to the European Parliament. He did not report any income from dividends or from his London-based business.
His declared annual income, based on a monthly salary of €1,200, is below the tax threshold in Cyprus, which is 0% for incomes up to €19,500.
It’s notable that Panagiotou is the only one among the six Cypriot MEPs who declares an income that is not subject to taxation, despite the fact that the other five never claimed to be millionaires like he did.
To continue making videos inside the European Parliament, he stated that he has disabled the monetization of these videos. However, social media experts suggest that while he may not earn directly from these videos, he increases his followers, which generates significant revenue from his other content.
