The Permanent Criminal Court of Paphos is expected to announce its decision at 9am on Thursday on whether the trial of suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos will be conducted behind closed doors.
Phedonos pleaded not guilty to all charges during the most recent hearing on 24 June, which was held before the court's newly constituted panel.
The five charges against him are:
- Rape
- Indecent assault against a woman
- Indecent assault against a woman by another act
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- Administering a drug or other substance capable of stupefying or overpowering a person's resistance
The prosecution, represented by Eirini Savva, requested that the trial be held in private, citing the need to protect the complainant and relying on provisions of legislation concerning victims of offences of this nature.
A three-page written submission was filed in support of the application.
Hearing on request held in private
Defence lawyer Christos Pourgourides told the court that the defence had initially intended to challenge the request.
However, after reviewing both the application and relevant case law, it was agreed that the issue should be examined in closed session.
The court ruled that discussion of the application could involve references to sensitive aspects of the case requiring protection. As a result, the hearing on the issue proceeded without members of the public or media representatives present.
Trial dates set
While awaiting its decision on the application, the court has already scheduled the substantive hearing of the case for five consecutive days, from 27 to 31 July, with proceedings due to begin at 9am each day.
The court's ruling on whether the trial will be heard publicly or behind closed doors is expected later this morning.
