Paphos, Cyprus. The alleged rape case involving suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos was on Tuesday referred to the Paphos criminal court, with proceedings scheduled to begin on May 28. The hearing was held behind closed doors following a prosecution request.
Closed-door hearing and court decision
Prosecution representative Eirini Savva requested that the hearing be conducted behind closed doors, citing the need to protect the privacy of the alleged victim. She said the law allows this particularly in cases involving violence against women and that rape cases require heightened protective measures.
The court accepted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the proceedings be held without the presence of the public.
Defence position
Phedonos was accompanied by his lawyers Christos Pourgourides and Epaminondas Korakides, as well as his wife, relatives and friends.
Pourgourides raised no objection to the closed-door request on Tuesday but said that when the case is heard before the criminal court, proceedings should be conducted in public. He said, “The accused cannot be publicly vilified for months while the trial itself takes place behind closed doors,” and called for full transparency so that “everything can be heard”.
Bail and charges
The suspended mayor signed bail of €100,000.
He faces four charges: rape, indecent assault, administering substances to incapacitate a person with intent to commit a felony or misdemeanour, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
What do you think about holding initial hearings behind closed doors in cases involving alleged sexual violence?