Filenews 19 November 2025
The "trial" of the two Greek Cypriots who are "accused" of violating personal data continues on Wednesday in a "court" of occupied Trikomo. Today's hearing follows the testimony of the "general director of the land registry" last week.
At the previous "hearing" on November 12, the "general director of the land registry and surveys" in the occupied territories, Firdevs Aritzi, testified that her "department" follows a practice that does not allow Greek Cypriots, who do not reside permanently in the occupied territories, to receive documents or information about their properties.
Previously, the defense attorney, Onzel Polili, had said that the practice creates a dead-end vicious circle, as Greek Cypriots are referred to the "real estate committee", but in order to appeal there, they need title deeds that the "land registry" itself refuses to grant them.
The "trial" is scheduled to continue tomorrow, November 20.
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The arrest of the 22-year-old Contract Soldier of the National Guard, who is alleged to be the perpetrator of the attempted murder of a 47-year-old well-known person on the morning of July 31 in the Industrial Area of Dromolaxia, is considered by the Police. The reason is information that brings him to be involved in other criminal actions, with the Police investigating, according to information from "F", whether the loaded 9mm pistol found in his home is related to a specific criminal act in the province of Larnaca.
It is for this reason that the investigators of the TAE Larnaca are looking into the past and the movements of the young man, while they have opened the files of other unsolved criminal actions last summer in the province, which have the signature of organized crime. In addition to the attempted murder of a security guard and the arson of four vehicles in Pyla, for which five Syrians are on trial, the cases of attempted murder targeting a 49-year-old man on July 14 in Pyla, the shootings against the vehicle of a 25-year-old woman in Oroklini on August 8 and the arson of a 42-year-old man's vehicle in Aradippou on August 15 remain unsolved. It is noted that for some of these cases, investigations had also been carried out in the Central Prisons.
The alleged perpetrator, who is estimated to have been acting at the behest of another or other persons, was implicated in the case by testimony that has him admitting in his circle that he was the one who shot at the 47-year-old, who was not injured. He allegedly confided, in fact, that he had been watching the target in the previous days with different vehicles, in order not to be noticed. As it was established, the young SYOP on the day of the assassination attempt had asked permission from the camp in which he serves in the province of Nicosia.
The suspect was located and arrested in a parking lot in Larnaca at 2:30 on Monday afternoon and important evidence was found in his home, in addition to the loaded pistol. Specifically, two anthropomorphic masks and bullets sent for scientific examinations were found, as well as 4 mobile phones that will be forensically checked.
It is recalled that the 47-year-old on July 31 was heading by bicycle from the Industrial Area of Dromolaxia to the Krasa area. At some point, according to what he reported to the Police, he heard gunshots and saw a person, who was on a motorcycle, shooting at him. The suspect then left the scooter behind and fled on foot.
The police detected closed surveillance circuits that recorded the perpetrator's escape path to the pedestrian street of the salt lake. On this route, a black collar was found that seems to have fallen off the perpetrator, on which the DNA of an unknown man was found. A buccal swab has already been taken from the 22-year-old to see if the DNA was his. The scooter, meanwhile, was found to have been stolen by two people in Larnaca on July 22.
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He was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison, served half of his sentence and yesterday was released by decision of the Court of Appeal, finding an error of the court of first instance.
The case concerns a person who was accused of securing goods with false representations in violation of Article 298 of the Penal Code, Chapter 154. The Limassol District Court, exercising its discretion, decided to proceed with the hearing of the case against the appellant and to decide in his absence. He found him guilty of the above offense in his absence and sentenced him to two years in prison, starting from the date of his arrest by the Police.
He appealed against his conviction and sentence. The Court of Appeal pointed out that in order for the Court to decide whether to proceed with the absence of the accused, under Article 89 of the Law, it must proceed with the due process, examining all the evidence, in order to conclude, reasoned how it considers that it should exercise its discretion under the circumstances of the case before it.
In this case, he points out, this process is lacking and this is where the error of the Court of First Instance lies. "In view of all the above, we consider that the Court of First Instance erred, since in exercising its discretion, it improperly applied the principles of law concerning the interpretation of Article 10 of Chapter 155, since it did not take into account all the relevant factors as analyzed in the above case law. The second ground of appeal is well-founded and succeeds. Its success makes the examination of the other grounds of appeal unnecessary."
The Court of Appeal wondered whether a retrial should be ordered. The criterion for the exercise of the Court's discretionary power as to whether or not a retrial of a case is justified is always the interest of justice, he emphasizes and adds that in the present case, the time of the commission of the alleged offenses dates back to the year 2015. The imposed prison sentence of 2 years was activated on 15.12.2024 during the arrest of the appellant and therefore, The appellant has served about half of it.
Despite the attitude that the appellant allegedly followed, the Court of Appeal concludes, regarding his presence at his trial, the above data lead us to the conclusion that an order for a retrial would not serve the interest of justice. In the end, the appeal succeeds and the first instance decision of the Court of First Instance regarding the application of Article 89 of Chapter 155 is set aside, dragging along the conviction of the appellant and the imposition of a sentence, which are also set aside. The appellant was ordered to be released.
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Large quantities of cannabis with a total weight of 58 kg were imported into Cyprus in two different cases and the main defendant in both cases after 3 years and 9 months of continuous detention, is free. No responsibility was attributed...
Last Monday, the Permanent Criminal Court of Nicosia (Chr. Parpottas – P.E.D., Chr. Rasopoulos – A.E.D., P. Savvides – E.D.) acquitted in the second case Chr. P., originally from Limassol, who was allegedly the "mastermind" of a case of importing cannabis of 23 kilograms and 433 grams. from Spain and through Larnaca Airport.
This was preceded by an acquittal decision (25/4/2023) of the same person by the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol (A. Koni - P.E.D., F. Timotheou - A.E.D., A. Fylaktou - E.D.) in a case of importing cannabis with a total weight of 34 kilograms and 299.3 grams.
However, the news, as can be seen from the wording of the acquittal verdict of the Nicosia Criminal Court the day before yesterday, has to do with the investigative work. As in the 2023 decision, last Monday's decision raises serious issues in terms of the investigation of the case.
In a program...
Very important, however, is the fact that in both cases the Criminal Courts judged as unreliable the two persons who were initially accused and joined a witness protection program and testified under oath before them. In the two verdicts there are a number of points about the constant contradictions that the two prosecution witnesses fell into. There is also a question of their evaluation by the prosecuting authorities when a decision was made to include him in such a program.
The verdict the day before yesterday
Starting from the most recent acquittal decision, the 1st defendant was Chr. P., who, as we noted, was allegedly the mastermind of a case of importation into the Republic, from Spain and through Larnaca airport, of a quantity of cannabis weighing 23,493 grams. Two more persons were accused, G.Y. and H.Th.
According to the details of the indictment, the three defendants are accused of conspiring between May and August of the year 2021, in the Republic and Spain, to traffic the above quantity.
The Permanent Criminal Court of Nicosia, in its verdict, focused on G.K. (M.K. 4), who testified under oath as a prosecution witness and joined a witness protection program. M.K. 4 had argued that B. (the original of his surname) was the one who prompted him to get involved in the case. In fact, from M.K.4's mobile phone device, data emerged from the content of a private communication between him and B.
What emerges from the decision and the cross-examination of M.K. 4 was that this content was not studied by the Police to the extent it should have been. Reference is made to the behaviour of M.K. 4 that showed that he wanted to cover B. to some extent, at a time when, as it emerged from evidence during the trial (see defense of Chr. P.), the latter allegedly had good knowledge of the commission of the crimes in question.
"Adequacy of the Police..."
At the same time, the Criminal Court speaks of the lies of M.K. 4 and indirectly blames the attitude of the Police. It is characteristically stated in the verdict of the Criminal Court: "All of the above cause us strong suspicions that the involvement of B. in the whole case she was not as innocent as M.K.4 tried to portray. In view of the knowledge of B. about what was happening in Spain, but also about his role in the transition of M.K.4 to Spain, the lies of M.K.4 and the attempt to completely disconnect it acquire particular importance. The issue is also related to the adequacy of the investigation of the case by the Police, an issue that we will refer to below, during the evaluation of the testimony of M.K.5 and M.K.6".
B., who allegedly had a role in the case, although there was witness material on MK4's phone (note video and audio about drug trafficking) that implicated him, was not interrogated by the Police, because he had not been located.
It should be noted that on behalf of the 1st accused, Chr. P., Ilias Stefanou and Giannis Nearchou appeared, for the 2nd defendant Th. Anastasiadis and for the 3rd N. Kallis.
Frivolous positions by the Police
There are other strong references to the decision of the three-member judiciary the day before yesterday that do not flatter the police force: "We are only content to note that in our judgment, as we indicated and during the evaluation of the testimony of M.K.4, there was evidence on the latter's mobile phone that should have alerted the investigative team, in relation to any involvement of B. in the whole case. Therefore, the reports of M.K.6 (a member of the Police) that evidence that was scattered on M.K.4's mobile phone and was not accompanied by other evidence could not be investigated, is considered to be frivolous from the point of view of the correctness of the investigation, at least."
"The investigative work would be more complete"
Regarding the case that was judged in court at an earlier stage, specifically in April 2023, as we noted, the only defendant was Chr. P. He was also acquitted after the main prosecution witness in his case (M.K.3) was deemed unreliable. And in this verdict, the reports of the Limassol Criminal Court on the work of the Police go unnoticed.
We quote relevant excerpts:
>> "We judge for the same reasons mentioned above in relation to the non-investigation of the issue of illegal possession of a mobile phone by the A.A. (note. another person, whose role in the case was investigated, without finally being charged), while he was also in custody his telephone communications with Mr. K.T., M.K.3's lawyer, that M.K.3's allegations in Exhibit 25 should be further investigated (...)"
>> «(…)as well as the finding that the aforementioned mobile phone card was connected to a telephone device of A.A. as well as the fact of locating the photo of a motorcycle similar to the one described by M.K.3 in Exhibit 25, but also the detection of the solemn declaration of transport of personal belongings (Exhibit 39) on the phone of A.A. (...)".
>> "We further consider that the issue of the above motorcycle should have been further investigated in relation to the references of M.K.3 in Exhibit 25".
>> "It was also necessary to take into account the fact that photographs of a motorcycle similar to the one described by M.K.3 in his testimony (Exhibit 25), were found on A.A.'s phone, as well as that E.Z. was the owner of a similar motorcycle and that the previous owner of the motorcycle in question was A.A. With the investigation of the above, we believe that various issues that arose during the testimony of M.K.3 would be completed and clarified, That is, various of his allegations would be confirmed or refuted, without there being ambiguities or unclear points or reasonable questions raised as to his credibility would remain unanswered and clearly the investigative work would be more complete."
>> "Furthermore, from the study of Exhibit 49 which contains the telecommunications data of the mobile phone found in the possession of A.A. while he was in custody for the case, it appears that A.A. had on 22/12/2020, calls with other Spanish telephone numbers (specifically 3 incoming and 2 outgoing calls to and from the number 346705 and 4 incoming and 1 outgoing to and from the number 346940), which also shows its connection with Spain."
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With an increase in the prison sentence to 4 years but also with clear references that the delay in filing a complaint does not lead to the abolition of the severity with which cases of sexual exploitation of minors must be handled, the Court of Appeal today issued a decision on the appeal of the Attorney General of the Republic for the imposition of a manifestly inadequate sentence by the Criminal Court in a case of sexual abuse of a minor committed 21 years ago and reported by the victim 17 years later.
The offences were committed in the years 2004/2005. The complaint on behalf of the victim was submitted to the Police in 2021, i.e. almost 17 years after the offenses were committed "and only when the victim became an adult and received psychological support did she manage to decide to make the complaint".
This decision is highlighted by the Legal Service of the Republic as a reminder that the time that elapses between the commission of sexual offenses against minors and their report to the Police, does not need to be perceived as an obstacle on the part of the victims in submitting their complaint.
To this end, the reference of the Court of Appeal in its decision is also essential, where it does not fail to point out the fact that the delay in the complainant's complaint and the fact that the case was brought to justice after so many years, "does not lead to the abolition of the severity with which such cases should be handled. Nor does the time that elapsed between the complaint and the imposition of the sentence, in this case, determine the type or amount of the penalty." To go on to note that "the penalties that should be imposed should be strict and dissuasive due to the particular seriousness as crimes that are directed against morals but at the same time offend and devastate the personality of the victim".
The accused was initially sentenced to concurrent sentences of 2 years and 6 months for four counts of sexual offenses. The accused had filed an appeal against the above sentence alleging the imposition of an excessive sentence. The defendant's appeal was rejected as unfounded. Following the appeal of the Attorney General, the sentence was replaced by a 4-year prison sentence.
On behalf of the Attorney General of the Republic, the case was handled by the Lawyer of the Republic, Ms. Marina Masoura.
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A 49-year-old defendant was sentenced to six years in prison today by the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court, who admitted to possessing cocaine with a total weight of 457,08 grams as well as using cannabis. The accused was found guilty, after his own admission, of three charges, with the most serious being that of possession of cocaine for the purpose of supplying a quantity of about half a kilogram. In addition, the Court sentenced him to six months in prison for the crime of smoking cannabis, as he admitted to smoking a handmade cigarette.
In its extensive, 22-page decision, the Criminal Court states that it took into account the defendant's clean criminal record, his personal and family circumstances, his remorse and his inclusion in a rehabilitation program. At the same time, it is pointed out that a second defendant, 36 years old, did not admit any charges and his case was referred for a hearing.
During his speech, the defendant's lawyer stated that the 49-year-old was addicted to cocaine, as a result of which he used it daily and created a large financial debt to his supplier. The latter exerted serious daily pressure on him to pay off the amount owed. Because he could not pay part of his debt, his supplier asked him, instead of paying €500, to transport the drugs in question to Limassol.
As noted in the decision, the accused acted for his own benefit, with the aim of paying off his debt, without making any other profit. However, it is underlined that with this action a large amount of cocaine would be channelled into the market.
His lawyer, during the mitigation of the sentence, referred to the personal and family circumstances of the accused, noting that he comes from a region of Greece and came to Cyprus shortly before 2000. He worked in various hotels, while since 2016 he has maintained his own store. For the last 15 years he has been a drug user. He even added that from the day he was put on trial, he joined a rehabilitation program inside the prisons, which he successfully completed.
"The offenses of possession of Class A controlled drugs for the purpose of supplying them to other persons are among the most serious. It is emphasized that, unfortunately, in recent years drug-related offenses have been on the rise in Cyprus, and in such cases the element of deterrence, for the protection of society as a whole, strongly prevails", it is pointed out in the decision of the Criminal Court.
According to the facts, on February 25, 2025, the accused was placed under discreet surveillance by members of YKAN, following information that he was involved in the trafficking and supply of cocaine. The 49-year-old was seen parking his vehicle in front of an apartment building in Limassol and entering a warehouse without owning anything. He then got out holding a black purse and boarded his vehicle. The accused was located and stopped for a check while driving on the Limassol-Nicosia highway, by the Zygi exit.
In a search of the vehicle, two nylon packages containing cocaine with a total gross weight of 363 grams were found and confiscated and the 49-year-old was arrested for a flagrante delicto. Also, a half-smoked handmade cigarette with cannabis, as well as other evidence, were found and received inside the vehicle.
A vehicle driven by a 36-year-old man in Limassol was then stopped for a check. During the investigation, a package with a quantity of cocaine with a gross weight of 100 grams was located and confiscated, among other things, and the 36-year-old was arrested for a flagrante delicto. A search was also carried out in his apartment, where a package with a ketamine-like substance with a gross weight of six grams, an airtight packaging machine and two rolls of airtight packaging bags were found and confiscated. In a search of the warehouse, a paper coffee cup was located and confiscated, in which there was a quantity of white substance, cocaine with a total gross weight of 101 grams.
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in-cyprus
Seven of the eight people charged over the Central Prisons leaked documents case have been placed on suspension following criminal proceedings, with complications arising over the status of former prison director Anna Aristotelous.
Until now, six of the eight had been on suspension because they were under investigation for serious criminal offences. This included Aristotelous, four prison guards, and a probationary police officer who previously worked as a prison guard.
Athina Dimitriou, former deputy prison director, had not been placed on suspension and was working in the Audit Service. The chief prison guard at whose home the documents were found is on suspension due to another criminal case he faces.
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis took action to extend the suspension of the four prison guards and the police officer—whose suspension was due to expire on Friday—until their trial. Proceedings were also initiated to suspend Dimitriou.
Audit Service examines Dimitriou’s status
The auditor general, who received a letter from police stating that criminal proceedings had been initiated against Dimitriou, contacted the Public Service Commission.
According to sources, the commission sent a letter the same day requesting certain clarifications on issues concerning Dimitriou before making a decision. Under the procedure, it must inform the affected person and give her the right to object before reaching a decision.
Aristotelous’s complicated situation
The situation is more complicated for Aristotelous because she will change status in a few days. She is currently on suspension following action by Andreas Gregoriou, director general of the Agriculture Ministry and head of personnel for the presidency.
Her suspension expires at the end of November, whilst she is due to take up her new duties as director general on 1 December.
The Cabinet is expected to decide today whether to assign her to a ministry, department or service.
Following the development with the criminal proceedings, either Gregoriou will need to request her suspension until the completion of her criminal case, or after 1 December, the Cabinet itself will need to initiate suspension proceedings if deemed necessary.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday that all actions will be taken according to the established procedure. He noted that according to the previous decision and before the latest development, Aristotelous is already on suspension.
“At this moment, if I’m not mistaken, the letter [for registration of the criminal case] was officially received today. All those briefings are being obtained so that all those decisions can be taken according to the established, defined procedure,” he said.
He also explained that Aristotelous has not yet assumed duties as director general.
Lawyers clash over case
Modestos Pogiatzis, lawyer for Assistant Police Chief Michalis Katsounotos, responded to statements made on Monday by Chris Triantafyllides, who represents Aristotelous and Dimitriou.
In a statement, Pogiatzis referred to a repeated attempt to create a dramatic narrative.
“The rhetoric about ‘cannibalism’, attacks against services and implied targeting constitute a conscious choice of escalation and polarisation, obviously aimed at shifting the discussion from the substance of the events,” the statement said.
According to Pogiatzis, the assistant police chief has no connection to the public smear attempts being made. He has repeatedly taken positions with sobriety and respect for institutions and has fully cooperated with every procedure.
Any references attempting to present him as involved in scenarios, conspiracies or supposed wars are deemed not only unfounded but dangerously subversive to citizens’ trust in justice and oversight mechanisms.
The lawyer said selective presentation of the attorney general’s decisions in a way that leaves insinuations or attempts to create shadows does not constitute legal argumentation but public targeting.
“The very serious characterisations used against the police, the attorney general and other institutional bodies do not strike Mr Katsounotos but the institutional order itself. We will not follow this downward path. We will not turn a serious ongoing procedure into a television spectacle or a personal victimisation narrative,” the statement added.
Pogiatzis emphasised that Katsounotos has nothing to fear, nothing to hide and no need for public attacks.
“Cases are resolved in courts, not in press releases and not in terms of dramatisation. Justice is not blackmailed, is not influenced and is not dragged into wars. The truth will shine through institutional channels and only through them”.
