Cyprus Mail 17 February 2026 - by Rebekah Gregoriades
Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis were found not guilty on Tuesday by the Nicosia criminal court regarding their alleged involvement in the ‘golden passports’ scandal.
Five years after Al Jazeera broadcast a video in which high profile officials appeared to be assisting the proxy of a pretend Chinese investor – with a supposed criminal record – secure a Cypriot passport under the citizenship-by-investment scheme, the two remaining defendants – Syllouris and Giovanis – were acquitted.
On hearing the verdict, Syllouris and Giovanis were reported to be clearly emotional. Their supporters in the full courtroom cried for joy, embracing each other and applauding. The judges reacted, saying this was “unacceptable” as the proceedings had not finished.
The verdict was not unanimous.
The court ruled by majority that the charges of conspiracy to defraud the Republic, abuse of power, bribing a public official and unlawful interference in naturalisation procedures could not be proved.
During the trial, the Al Jazeera video was not accepted as evidence and prosecution witnesses were not called to testify.
Al Jazeera court case: what led up to the acquittal?
September 2020: A new investigative commission was set up to look into the citizenship-by-investment scheme.
October 2020: Al Jazeera broadcast an undercover video, incriminating three high profile individuals – former House President Demetris Syllouris, former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis and lawyer Andreas Pittadjis – appearing to be assisting the proxy of a pretend Chinese investor – with a supposed criminal record – secure a Cypriot passport under the citizenship-by-investment scheme. Syllouris and Giovanis were forced to resign.
April 2021: Syllouris and Giovanis refused to answer any questions put to them by the panel investigating Cyprus’ controversial citizenship by investment programme.
July 2021: Syllouris filed a lawsuit against Al Jazeera, claiming violation of his personal data and defamation.
July 2021: The Supreme Court rejected a request by international broadcaster Al Jazeera to file for prerogative writs cancelling three injunctions secured by Syllouris.
December 2021: The police completed an investigation into Syllouris and Giovanis and sent the file to the attorney-general.
June 2022: Pittadjis – whose famous line ‘this is Cyprus’ became a phrase used to laugh at scandals – was fined €4,000 by the Cyprus Bar Association for demeaning the profession.
July 2022: The attorney-general said four people – Syllouris, Giovanis, officer of the Giovanis Group Antonis Antoniou and lawyer Andreas Pittadjis – would face a criminal trial over their role in apparently giving naturalisations to foreign investors.
June 2023: Nicosia criminal court threw out the ‘golden passports’ case, citing a change in the court composition. As a result, before the case was refiled, all four defendants were temporarily acquitted of all charges.
August 2023: It was decided that the four defendants would appear again before the Nicosia court in September 2023.
September 2023: The four defendants were referred to a criminal trial on charges that include conspiracy to defraud the Republic and influencing a public official in violation of the laws criminalising corruption.
October 2023: In a surprising twist, all charges against lawyer Andreas Pittadjis were dropped at the Nicosia criminal court.
December 2023: Syllouris and Giovanis pleaded not guilty to five charges read out to them at Nicosia criminal court.
March 2025: Antonis Antoniou, who worked as an Operations Manager for the Giovani Group, was acquitted.
July 2025: The court called on Syllouris and Giovanis to state the case for their own defence.
September 2025: Syllouris’ lawyers said he would not take the stand in the ongoing golden passports trial against him.
December 2025: The criminal court reserved its verdict for February 17, 2026.
