Retrial of Giorgos Christodoulou for drug trafficking continues in Nicosia

The Nicosia Criminal Court is conducting a retrial for Giorgos Christodoulou, known as 'Zavrantonas', who is accused of importing and possessing over 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to supply. The defendant was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison in December 2022, but that conviction was overturned by the Appeals Court. During recent proceedings, prosecution witnesses from the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) testified regarding the January 16, 2019, operation in Lakatamia. Authorities arrested Aristos Kyprianou and Yiannis Andreou during this operation, uncovering 15 kilograms of cocaine in total, including one package in a garden and 14 inside a military-style bag. While witnesses testified that the bags were the same as those seized, the defense attorney, Christos Poutzouris, raised formal objections regarding the volume and contents of the evidence. Andreou, who previously served a prison term for this case, has since been granted a presidential pardon and now serves as a prosecution witness. The court is currently examining the legitimacy of the evidence handling by police as the trial continues.