Nicosia, Cyprus. Giorgos Christodoulou, known as ‘Zavrantonas’, appeared before the Nicosia criminal court on Wednesday for the start of his retrial after his conviction and 22-year prison sentence were overturned. The defence sought additional time before responding to the charges, citing the need for further disclosures about the prosecution’s main witness.
Conviction annulled and new retrial panel
The appeal court earlier this month annulled Christodoulou’s 2022 conviction related to a 15-kilogram cocaine case, following a change in the composition of the criminal court during the original proceedings. The retrial will proceed before a new panel of judges.
Defence requests time and witness material
Defence lawyer Christos Poutziouris asked for additional time before his client responds to the charges, arguing that further witness material and information relating to the prosecution’s main witness must be disclosed.
The witness had previously admitted separate drug offences and was sentenced to 16 years in prison, later joining a witness protection programme and providing evidence central to the prosecution case against Christodoulou.
Claims about pardon, release and later reports
According to the defence, the witness was released from prison after serving around three and a half years following a presidential pardon and suspension of sentence. Poutziouris alleged the release was granted on condition that the witness leave Cyprus and referred to later reports linking the same individual to separate allegations involving shootings against a businessman.
Fair trial concerns and possible pretrial objection
Poutziouris said the developments are directly relevant to defence preparation and to potential pretrial objections concerning abuse of process and the right to a fair trial. He also said the witness had previously presented himself as a gambler who took responsibility for the drugs due to gambling debts, while later admitting involvement in drug trafficking activities.
“With the new evidence, we will be able to file a pretrial objection regarding abuse of process and violation of the right to a fair trial,” he said.
What further disclosures about the prosecution’s main witness will be presented before the court?
