Nicosia, Cyprus. The trial over the theft of documents from the central prisons was adjourned again on Tuesday after prosecutors told the court they had not submitted all documents previously identified for review. The case remains at the discovery stage, and the eight defendants have not yet entered a plea.
Missing documents delay proceedings
At an earlier hearing, the Nicosia criminal court instructed prosecutors to provide about 2,900 documents so it could decide whether they may be disclosed to the defence.
Prosecutors had withheld the documents, arguing they were classified and that disclosure could jeopardise public security as well as attorney-client privilege.
With the defendants seeking full access, the court had previously ruled that it would itself determine which documents were classified or secret.
Prosecution cites miscommunication
Prosecutors later submitted most of the documents to the court, but on Tuesday it emerged that around 440 had still not been handed over.
The lead prosecutor apologised, attributing the omission to miscommunication with police, who hold the documents.
The defence objected to the further delay, but the court accepted the explanation and allowed a few more days for the remaining documents to be delivered.
Next hearing set for Friday
The next hearing was scheduled for Friday.
The trial is still in discovery, the pre-trial process in which opposing sides exchange information, evidence and witness lists to prevent trial by ambush and narrow disputed issues.
The defendants’ lawyers have said they want access to all material before their clients enter pleas of guilty or not guilty.