Key witness says initial cocaine case statement was false

Nicosia, Cyprus. The key prosecution witness in the retrial of Giorgos “Zavrantonas” Christodoulou told the court on Thursday that his first statement to authorities, claiming the drugs were his, was false.

Yiannis Andreou, also known as “Maronas”, said his second deposition was truthful as Christodoulou faces charges of importing 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to sell.

Retrial ordered

The case is being retried after the appeals court overturned Christodoulou’s conviction and 22-year prison sentence imposed in December 2022. The appeals court ordered a new trial from the beginning.

Andreou had initially received a 16-year prison sentence in connection with the same case. After serving four years, he was granted a presidential pardon and became a state witness.

Having already been sentenced in the case and granted a presidential pardon, Andreou cannot implicate himself again under double jeopardy provisions.

Evidence from Lakatamia residence

Andreou told Nicosia criminal court that he lied when first arrested in January 2019 by saying the narcotics belonged to him.

Police had been monitoring Andreou and another man, Aristos Kyprianou, at Andreou’s residence in Lakatamia.

During questioning by the prosecution, Andreou identified items seized from his residence and nearby areas on the day of the arrests.

Witness account

Andreou said he threw a one-kilogram packet of cocaine from the veranda after noticing police were approaching. He said cameras installed at his home showed officers arresting Kyprianou, who was sitting in a parked car outside.

The witness said Christodoulou had instructed him to collect the cocaine. He said he had known Christodoulou since 2016 and that they remained in contact after Christodoulou’s release from prison.