Key witness to testify in retrial of Giorgos Christodoulou-Zavrantonas

Giannis Andreou is scheduled to testify at the Permanent Assize Court of Nicosia regarding the drug trafficking retrial of Giorgos Christodoulou-Zavrantonas. Zavrantonas is accused of possessing 15 kilograms of cocaine found by the Anti-Drugs Unit in Lakatamia in January 2019. Previously, Zavrantonas was convicted on December 12, 2022, and sentenced to 22 years in prison based on Andreou’s testimony identifying him as the operation's mastermind. This conviction was overturned on May 11, 2026, by the Court of Appeal due to issues regarding the original court's composition. Giannis Andreou, known as 'Maronas', and Aristos Kyprianou were originally sentenced to 16 and 8 years in prison respectively in July 2019. Andreou was later released from prison in early 2023 following a presidential pardon. Defence lawyer Christos Poutziouris has raised concerns regarding Andreou's inclusion in a witness protection program. Today's hearing follows an announcement by prosecution representative Vasilis Bissas.