Court of Appeal overturns drug conviction for 72 kilograms of cannabis

On September 21, 2026, the Cyprus Court of Appeal unanimously overturned a conviction and sentencing regarding a 72-kilogram cannabis case. The defendant, a Greek Cypriot man, had been sentenced on August 22, 2022, by the Limassol Criminal Court to 18 years for possession with intent to supply and four years for the importation of a Class B controlled drug, among other related charges.

The appellate court, consisting of judges M. Abiza, St. Christodoulidou-Messiou, and I. Stylianidou, ruled that the original trial was invalid. This decision stemmed from a procedural error where the lower court failed to fully inform the defendant of his rights regarding his testimony. Specifically, the Criminal Court informed the defendant he could provide sworn testimony or remain silent, but failed to disclose his right to make an unsworn statement without cross-examination.

The appellate ruling identified this omission as a critical miscarriage of justice, particularly regarding the application of the Criminal Procedure Law as amended in April 2022. Consequently, the court ordered a retrial of the case to be heard before a differently composed Criminal Court to ensure a proper legal examination of the evidence.