Retrial of Giorgos Zavrantonas Christodoulou begins in Nicosia

The Nicosia Criminal Court has commenced the retrial of Giorgos Christodoulou, also known as Zavrantonas, regarding charges of possessing 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to sell. Christodoulou, who pleaded not guilty, was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison in December 2022 before the appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a de novo trial. During Monday's proceedings, the defense lodged several objections concerning the legality of evidence handling by police. Prosecution witness Officer Militsa Papa testified about the January 16, 2019, arrests of Aristos Kyprianou and Yiannis Andreou in Lakatamia. According to the testimony, Andreou indicated where a packet of cocaine was hidden in the house garden, while 14 additional packages were found in an army-style bag inside Kyprianou's vehicle. Yiannis Andreou, who was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison, served four years before receiving a presidential pardon and is now serving as a witness for the prosecution. The court examined the seized substances and the documentation associated with the evidence.