Nicosia, Cyprus. Suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos could be formally indicted as early as this week, according to media reports, while his attorney said they have not received any paperwork from authorities. Reports said the mayor faces charges of rape and indecent assault or sexual abuse.
Possible charges and procedural steps
Multiple media outlets reported that the attorney-general’s office has decided to file charges and could do so over the next few days. The Cyprus News Agency reported that the case file has been returned to police to draft the charge sheet, which is then vetted and approved by the attorney-general.
Response from the mayor’s lawyer
The Cyprus Mail said it attempted to contact a senior official at the attorney-general’s office but could not reach the person by the time of publication. In a brief telephone conversation, Phedonos’ attorney Christos Pourgourides said neither he nor his client had been formally notified of anything. He criticised the leaking of information about possible indictments to the media and offered no further comment.
Background to the investigation
Press reports said the anticipated indictment relates to an incident in 2014, when a complaint was filed but the case did not progress. The matter resurfaced earlier this year after businessman Theodoros Aristodemou made public accusations that prompted a police investigation and the reopening of the file.
Previous allegations and deposition
In 2016, Aristodemou appeared on a CyBC programme and called Phedonos a “rapist and a blackmailer,” challenging him to sue in court. On February 18 this year, Phedonos, accompanied by his lawyers, was deposed at CID headquarters in Nicosia, where he reportedly submitted a written statement and did not answer questions.
What do you think about the leaking of information on possible indictments before formal notification is issued?