The trial of suspended Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos will continue on Wednesday before the Permanent Assize Court sitting in Paphos, with the hearing of witnesses.
The proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors following a court ruling granting a request by the prosecution.
The prosecution is represented by Senior Counsel of the Republic Mikaella Pasiardi.
Prior to the filing of charges, the case was handled by the Paphos office of the Legal Service under prosecutor Eirini Savva.
According to information obtained by Politis, a member of the investigative team testified on Tuesday.
Following the submission of evidence, the prosecution began calling witnesses, initially members of the investigative team, as it seeks to substantiate the charges against the defendant.
Sworn testimony is also expected from individuals who provided evidence considered significant to the case during the investigation.
Defence seeks independent psychiatric assessment
According to a report by Phileleftheros, defence lawyers Christos Pourgourides and Epaminondas Korakides have submitted an application seeking an assessment of the complainant by a private psychiatrist of their choice.
The complainant has already been evaluated by a government psychiatrist during the investigation and before charges were filed.
However, the defence is reported to be challenging the findings of that assessment and, by extension, the complainant's testimony.
Five charges denied
Phedonos faces five charges:
- 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 overcoming a person's resistance.
He has denied all charges.
Proceedings continue this week
Under the court schedule, the case is being heard throughout the week in five consecutive hearing days, concluding on 31 July.
New dates for the continuation of the trial, likely in September, are expected to be set on Friday.
The defence had previously requested that the proceedings be held in public, arguing that public scrutiny was necessary and that the defendant was entitled to a public hearing.
Court cites privacy concerns
Assize Court President Lia Markou rejected that request and ordered that the trial be conducted behind closed doors.
Markou said the court's discretion to exclude the public should be exercised sparingly and only where justified, noting that the protection of the privacy and identity of victims in cases of this nature is embedded in Cyprus' legal framework.
In her ruling, she said there was a clear risk of violating the complainant's privacy and influencing her testimony through fear, anxiety or possible social stigma.
She also stressed that the defendant's rights remain fully protected despite the exclusion of the public.
The court further rejected the option of hearing only parts of the case in private, such as during the complainant's testimony, noting that sensitive personal information could also arise through other witnesses.
