Nicosia, Cyprus. The prosecution and defence disputed the admissibility of phone communications on Thursday in the retrial of Giorgos “Zavrantonas” Christodoulou, who faces charges of importing 15kg of cocaine with intent to sell.
Christodoulou is being tried before Nicosia criminal court after an appeals court declared a mistrial in May and ordered the case to be heard again from the beginning.
Previous conviction and retrial
Christodoulou was found guilty in 2022 of possession with intent to sell and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
The appeals court later declared a mistrial, leading to the current retrial.
Mobile phone evidence
Thursday’s hearing focused on the authorities’ handling of mobile phones belonging to Yiannis Andreou.
Andreou was initially arrested and sentenced in connection with the case. He was subsequently granted a pardon and became a state witness.
A drug squad officer who investigated the case testified about police actions following Andreou’s arrest and the subsequent investigation.
Andreou has admitted being an accomplice and named Christodoulou as the alleged mastermind behind the drug smuggling. He cannot legally implicate himself.
Disputed communications order
According to the investigating officer, Christodoulou denied involvement in the case when he was questioned and said he had no contact with Andreou.
In response to questions from the prosecution, the officer identified several evidentiary items related to mobile phones seized during the investigation.
The hearing became heated when lead prosecutor Vasilis Bissas sought to submit a court order concerning access to private communications as evidence.
