Drousiotis and Kyriakou referred to Nicosia Criminal Court in Sandy case

Journalist Makarios Drousiotis and Kyriaki Kyriakou, also known as 'Sandy', appeared before the Nicosia District Court on September 16, 2026, for the first hearing in a high-profile case involving 101 criminal charges. The charges include forgery, circulation of forged documents, publication of false news, and harassment. The case originated from a series of articles written by Drousiotis that alleged corruption and sexual misconduct among public officials, specifically centering on messages purportedly exchanged between Kyriakou and a former Supreme Court judge.

During the proceedings, the prosecution requested a direct referral of the case to the Nicosia Permanent Criminal Court, arguing the complexity of the charges. Despite defense objections claiming the case was not suitable for a higher court and noting that the full evidence had not been disclosed, the judge approved the referral. Both defendants were released on a €10,000 bail each, and Kyriakou has submitted a request for legal aid. Drousiotis publicly labeled the proceedings as vindictive, suggesting a connection to his previous investigations into institutional corruption. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 15, 2026.