Nicosia, Cyprus. Court proceedings in the retrial of Giorgos ‘Zavrantonas’ Christodoulou continued on Friday with the completion of the cross-examination of key prosecution witness Yiannis ‘Maronas’ Andreou.
Christodoulou faces charges of importing 15kg of cocaine with intent to sell. The next hearing is scheduled for July 21, when further witnesses are expected to testify.
Retrial proceedings
The case is being retried after the appeals court overturned Christodoulou’s conviction and ordered proceedings to begin again. In December 2022, he had been sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Andreou had initially received a 16-year prison sentence in connection with the same case. After serving four years, he was granted a presidential pardon and became a state witness.
Having previously been sentenced in the case and received a presidential pardon, Andreou cannot implicate himself again under double jeopardy provisions.
Defence arguments
During Friday’s hearing, Christodoulou’s defence lawyer, Christos Poudjouris, said Andreou had received preferential treatment from the authorities, including his release before completing his prison sentence, following an agreement to testify against Christodoulou.
Poudjouris said it was not coincidental that both key witnesses were participating in a protection programme.
He also referred to a complaint allegedly made by then prison director Anna Aristotelous concerning insults and threats, adding that senior police officer Michalis Katsounotos had also been involved.
Andreou confirmed that a complaint had been filed but denied insulting or threatening anyone.