MVP

Tag: legal proceedings

  • Terrorism — Terrorism-Related Sentence Increased by Appeals Court

    Terrorism — Terrorism-Related Sentence Increased by Appeals Court

    A recent ruling has seen the sentence of a man convicted of terrorism-related offences doubled by an Appeals Court. The man, now 28, was arrested in Limassol in January 2021, where he was subsequently found guilty of serious charges that warranted a prison sentence.

    • This ruling signals a firm stance on terrorism-related offences by the judicial system, reflecting a commitment to addressing threats to public safety decisively.

    The initial sentence handed down by the criminal court was two years, a decision that the attorney-general’s office deemed too lenient. Following this, they lodged an appeal against the ruling. The Appeals Court reviewed the case and delivered its judgment last week, agreeing to double the sentence to four years.

    In its assessment, the Appeals Court upheld the criminal court’s findings, which revealed significant and concerning evidence on the defendant’s mobile phone. Authorities found extensive materials related to the manufacture of bombs and makeshift explosive devices, along with hazardous chemical and biological substances. Furthermore, the phone contained instructional videos detailing how to execute attacks on various public venues, including restaurants, buses, and nightclubs.

    The criminal court had cited the nature and volume of these instructional materials as indicative of a person preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The Appeals Court also dismissed arguments put forth by the defence attorney, who contended that the original court had misinterpreted the defendant’s intentions and had placed undue weight on his ideological beliefs and political opinions.

    This ruling signals a firm stance on terrorism-related offences by the judicial system, reflecting a commitment to addressing threats to public safety decisively.

  • Giovani Lawyer Critiques Prosecution in Golden Passports Trial

    Giovani Lawyer Critiques Prosecution in Golden Passports Trial

    The golden passports trial is drawing significant scrutiny as George Papaioannou, the defence lawyer representing former MP Christakis Giovanis, delivered his final address in the Nicosia Criminal Court. He accused the prosecution of engaging in “manifest deception” against the defence.

    • “This was decided along the way, without amending the indictment and with manifest deception of the defence,” Papaioannou argued, highlighting the discrepancies that had arisen.
    • In light of these arguments, he requested the court to acquit Giovanis on all charges.

    This case, linked to the infamous golden passports scandal, emerged following a 2020 Al Jazeera undercover investigation that prompted the resignations of Giovanis and former Speaker of the House, Demetris Syllouris.

    Golden passports: Prosecution’s Focus Shift

    Papaioannou asserted that the prosecution had strayed from the original charges, which were centred on residency permit criteria. He claimed that the courtroom evidence was concentrated on financial issues that had not been investigated by the police, thereby compromising the accused’s right to a fair trial.

    During interrogations, he noted that Giovanis, Syllouris, and lawyer Andreas Pittadjis were questioned solely about residency permits, which formed the basis of charges two and three. However, he pointed out that none of the police inquiries addressed the financial aspects that the prosecution later relied upon in court.

    “This was decided along the way, without amending the indictment and with manifest deception of the defence,” Papaioannou argued, highlighting the discrepancies that had arisen.

    Concerns Over Missing Testimonies

    Another pivotal aspect of Papaioannou’s address was the absence of two crucial figures from the trial, which he claimed resulted in significant gaps in testimony and distorted the facts presented in court. He specifically mentioned the missing service provider, Andreas Pittadjis, who had played a central role in the case as both Gornovski’s lawyer and Giovanis’s legal advisor.

    Pittadjis was initially co-defendant in the first three indictments but was removed from the fourth indictment without explanation, raising concerns about the integrity of the prosecution’s case. Papaioannou contended that the evidence suggested Pittadjis had a far more active role than Giovanis, whose involvement was limited to signing the Reservation Agreement under Pittadjis’s guidance.

    He also noted that Nikolai Gornovski, the naturalised investor, was absent from the indictment and had not been questioned as a suspect. “The absence of both the service provider and the investor creates a one-sided and distorted picture of the case,” he emphasised.

    Call for Acquittal Amidst Legal Flaws

    Papaioannou concluded his address by highlighting the overarching flaws in the legal process, asserting that the defence was presented with charges that diverged significantly from those initially investigated. He introduced the notion of “lurking doubt,” suggesting that the case was fraught with insurmountable issues that would render any conviction “extremely erroneous” and “insecure.”

    In light of these arguments, he requested the court to acquit Giovanis on all charges.

    Prosecution’s Next Steps

    In response to the defence’s claims, prosecution representative Charis Karaolidou sought additional time from the court to formulate a counter to the assertions regarding fair trial violations. The court has scheduled a new hearing for tomorrow at 09:30 to address the prosecution’s response and will announce the date for its decision afterward.

  • Ex-police Officer Seeks to Halt Prosecution in Thanasis Nicolaou Case

    Ex-police Officer Seeks to Halt Prosecution in Thanasis Nicolaou Case

    A former police officer has invoked an Assistant Attorney-General’s letter in his attempt to suspend the prosecution linked to the 2005 death of National Guard soldier Thanasis Nicolaou.

    • A former police officer has invoked an Assistant Attorney-General's letter in his attempt to suspend the prosecution linked to the 2005 death of National Guard soldier Thanasis Nicolaou.

    This request comes two decades after the tragic discovery of the 26-year-old soldier’s body beneath the Alassa bridge, an incident shrouded in controversy, with Nicolaou’s family long contending that the initial ruling of suicide was a facade for murder.

    The defendant, Christakis Kapiliotis, was the head of Lania Police Station at the time of Nicolaou’s death in September 2005. Through his lawyer, Andriana Klaedes, he has argued to the Attorney-General (AG) that the duration since the incident is excessively long for private criminal prosecutions to be initiated.

    In his correspondence to the AG, Kapiliotis pointed to the AG’s Law Office’s prior assessment of the evidence. He attached a letter from Assistant AG Savvas Angelides, dated 11 June 2025, which had previously dismissed a request from the Nicolaou family’s lawyer, Nikos Clerides, to pursue state prosecutions based on the Pappas-Athanasiou report. Angelides indicated that there was not enough evidence to support a charge of deliberate neglect of duty.

    Furthermore, the letter addressed medical examiner Panikos Stavrianos, who is also a defendant in the private case. Angelides clarified that there was no proof that Stavrianos had any knowledge of a murder or intent to conceal the identity of potential perpetrators.

    It is anticipated that the other defendants, including Stavrianos, former Limassol Police Director Andreas Iatropoulos, former Limassol CID head Nicos Sophocleous, and former Rural Police head Christakis Nathanael, will submit similar letters to the AG.

    In response to Kapiliotis’s request, the AG has sought the position of the Nicolaou family lawyers, who are expected to oppose the suspension and advocate for the continuation of the prosecution towards a conclusive court ruling. This follows the AG’s earlier announcement that he would not halt private prosecutions if the family chose to move forward, especially after the release of the Matsas-Alexopoulos report.

    All five defendants made their initial court appearance on 9 December, during which a preliminary objection regarding a conflict of interest was raised. The court has scheduled the next hearing for 22 January 2026.

  • Syllouris and Giovanis Maintain Innocence in Golden Passports Case

    Syllouris and Giovanis Maintain Innocence in Golden Passports Case

    In a significant development in the golden passports trial, former parliament speaker Demetris Syllouris pleaded not guilty on Thursday before Nicosia’s Criminal Court. He is facing charges alongside Christakis Giovanis, who also insists he acted lawfully and without wrongdoing.

    • This authorisation letter from March 2015 is pivotal as it supports Syllouris's claims regarding his official capacity and the legitimacy of his actions in the context of the golden passports scheme.
    • This trial is poised to remain in the public eye, drawing attention to the broader implications of the golden passports scheme and its impact on Cyprus's international reputation.

    Defendants’ Stance on Allegations

    During the hearing, Syllouris expressed his commitment to addressing the accusations directly. He stated, “I declare categorically that I am innocent of all charges I face in this case, which has completely unjustly caused enormous problems for me and my family.” His unsworn statement underlined his belief that he did not violate the law in any capacity regarding the golden passports scheme.

    Giovanis echoed Syllouris’s sentiments in his own unsworn statement, asserting that he had not committed any illegal acts. He explained that the documents he signed in the Nikolay Gornovsky case were either requested or drafted by lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, who represents both him and the Group. “I never thought or believed there was anything reprehensible, nor did I do anything reprehensible,” Giovanis stated.

    Details of the Golden Passports Scheme

    The golden passports scheme in question has garnered considerable attention, as it involves allegations of corruption surrounding the issuance of citizenship to foreign investors. The case has drawn scrutiny from both local and international media, particularly considering the high-profile nature of the defendants.

    During the proceedings, Syllouris maintained that he closely followed the court’s testimony and reiterated his position that he did not engage in any actions that would satisfy the charges. His defence seeks to establish that the actions taken were part of legitimate parliamentary duties.

    Testimony from Former Parliamentary Director

    As the trial progressed, Sokratis Sokratous, the former Director General of Parliament, provided testimony on the official trips undertaken by Syllouris during his tenure as Speaker. Sokratous confirmed that an official visit to China took place in November 2019, led by Syllouris, where discussions on imports and exports were held.

    According to Sokratous, the selection of Members of Parliament (MPs) for participation in such trips is made exclusively by their respective parties. He defended the necessity of these visits, emphasising their role within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy, which aims to promote Cyprus’s economic, cultural, and political interests abroad.

    Insights into Parliamentary Diplomacy

    Sokratous elaborated on the operations of parliamentary diplomacy, explaining that it allows Parliament to function autonomously when promoting the Republic’s interests. He highlighted the importance of attracting foreign investment, noting that parliamentary delegations are often accompanied by representatives from the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA).

    The focus on economic relations with non-EU countries is a crucial aspect of this diplomatic effort. Sokratous clarified that the aim is not only to foster political ties but also to enhance economic prospects for Cyprus.

    Submission of Evidence

    During the hearing, the court agreed to admit a letter from the former President of Cyprus, which provided authorisation for Syllouris to attract investments to the country. Initially, the secretary of the former President was to appear in court to confirm the document, but her presence was deemed unnecessary after the prosecution consented to submit it as evidence.

    This authorisation letter from March 2015 is pivotal as it supports Syllouris’s claims regarding his official capacity and the legitimacy of his actions in the context of the golden passports scheme.

    Next Steps in the Trial

    The proceedings are set to continue with further hearings scheduled. The next session is slated for 15 September at 10am, where witnesses called by Giovanis’s defence team will be examined. As the trial unfolds, both defendants are expected to maintain their positions of innocence, with their legal teams prepared to counter the allegations brought against them.

    This trial is poised to remain in the public eye, drawing attention to the broader implications of the golden passports scheme and its impact on Cyprus’s international reputation.

  • Corruption Trial: Anastasiades’ Letter Reveals Links to Golden Passports Scheme

    Corruption Trial: Anastasiades’ Letter Reveals Links to Golden Passports Scheme

    golden passports — The corruption trial involving Demetris Syllouris and Christakis Giovanis has shed light on the role of former President Nicos Anastasiades in the controversial golden passports scheme. A secretary who managed correspondence for Anastasiades will testify as a defence witness, further intertwining the former president’s legacy with the allegations at hand.

    The pivotal letter, which granted Syllouris, a former House Speaker, and others authority to attract foreign investments to Cyprus, was sent in the wake of the 2013 economic crisis. Defence lawyer Christos Triantafyllides plans to call this secretary, along with another witness, to affirm the legitimacy of their actions as aimed at rejuvenating the Cypriot economy.

    At the core of the trial are serious allegations against Syllouris and Giovanis, including conspiracy to subvert the Republic and influencing a public official. These charges emerged after an Al Jazeera documentary aired in October 2020, which exposed how the citizenship investment programme was allegedly exploited for personal gain. Following the exposé, both defendants resigned from their official positions.

    The undercover investigation revealed that Syllouris and Giovanis offered assistance to a fictitious Chinese businessman, promising him a streamlined process to acquire Cypriot citizenship in exchange for a substantial investment of at least €2.15 million. Syllouris’s assurances included claims that the applicant had a “99 percent” chance of success, raising eyebrows about the integrity of the programme.

    Evidence presented by the prosecution includes allegations that Syllouris received €200,000 for services rendered to Giovanis’s property company, with additional payments involving his daughter. This raised further questions regarding the extent of their financial dealings and possible conflicts of interest.

    Compounding these issues is the revelation that a law firm founded by Anastasiades, now operated by his daughters, processed numerous golden passport applications during his presidency. Critics have pointed out a clear conflict of interest, particularly given that 137 individuals were granted citizenship through this law firm while Anastasiades was in office.

    The Nicolatos inquiry committee reported that 53 percent of the 6,779 citizenships granted under the scheme between 2007 and August 2020 were unlawful. The committee’s findings suggested that while politicians bore political responsibilities, certain individuals involved in the application process may face criminal charges.

    As the trial progresses, Triantafyllides has requested a postponement, citing scheduling conflicts for the two witnesses. Giovanis’s defence counsel is also prepared to present witnesses, including family members, to support their case.

    The three-member judicial panel agreed to delay proceedings until Thursday to ensure all relevant witnesses could attend. The fallout from the Al Jazeera revelations has led to the termination of the Cyprus Investment Programme and prompted legal action from the European Union, highlighting concerns about the programme’s integrity and the individuals it attracted.