Nicosia, Cyprus. Proceedings in the case concerning thousands of documents removed from the central prisons were adjourned on Friday, with the Nicosia criminal court setting May 5 as the next hearing. The postponement was granted due to the absence of a prosecution representative for personal reasons.
Dispute over access to documents
During the hearing, defence lawyer Christos Triantafyllidis, representing former prisons director Anna Aristotelous, told the court that inspection of key documents “has not taken place to date” despite prior judicial instructions.
At an earlier session, the court ruled that disputed documents should be submitted for judicial review to determine whether withholding them from the defence is justified. It stated that the prosecution bears the burden of demonstrating why non-disclosure is necessary and instructed that defence lawyers be allowed to inspect the material and present their positions.
Defence position on fair trial
The defence has maintained that full access to the classified documents is essential to ensure a fair trial, arguing that without reviewing the material in question, the accused cannot adequately respond to the charges. Defence lawyers have also said their clients cannot proceed to plead without complete knowledge of the material forming the basis of the prosecution’s case.
Defendants and charges
Eight defendants are facing trial, including Aristotelous, former deputy director Athena Demetriou, five prison officers, and a former employee now serving in the police.
The charges include conspiracy, theft of state property involving 48,432 documents, removal of 370 architectural plans, and alleged unlawful possession of 431 items, including USBs. Additional allegations relate to abuse of power concerning the transfer of documents, plans and information outside the prisons, including to a private residence.
What impact could the court’s decision on access to disputed documents have on the defence’s next steps?