Trial of Giorgos Tattis and Oz Karahan postponed again due to witness absence

The trial of Giorgos Tattis and Oz Karahan before the Nicosia District Court was postponed again after three prosecution witnesses, identified as police officers, failed to appear. The proceedings, which began in 2024, center on charges related to the display of a banner stating 'Cyprus Republic: The Only Solution' during the October 1, 2024, parade. Defense attorney Efstathios K. Efstathiou noted that the prosecution provided no explanation for the witnesses' absence, leading to significant delays. A formal request to the Attorney General for the stay of criminal prosecution was submitted a year ago, but remains unanswered. The defendants argue that they are being prosecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression rather than for violence or hate speech. The trial is now rescheduled for November. Tattis and Karahan have publicly criticized the ongoing legal process as a significant inconvenience.