Trial of suspended Paphos Mayor continues behind closed doors

The trial of the suspended Mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, continued on October 20, 2026, at the Paphos Criminal Court. The proceedings, which are being held behind closed doors, involved the cross-examination of the complainant by defense attorneys Christos Pourgourides and Nontas Korakidis. During the complainant's testimony, the accused mayor was kept in a separate adjacent room.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, October 22, 2026. The case is expected to conclude before the end of 2026. Following the completion of the prosecution's witness testimonies, the court will determine whether a prima facie case has been established; if so, the defense will proceed with their own witnesses. One scheduled prosecution witness will not testify due to health issues and hospitalization, a matter the President of the Court is currently reviewing to determine how to proceed with the evidence.

The current proceedings represent the latest phase in the legal action against the suspended mayor. The court's decision on the prima facie stage will be a critical turning point in the trial, determining whether the defense is required to present evidence to challenge the charges brought by the prosecution.