Seven people appeared on Thursday before the Criminal Court in connection with an alleged ring of illegal activities. Among the accused are 48-year-old inmate Giorgos Christodoulou - known as Zavrantonas, his 37-year-old partner, her parents and brother, a 40-year-old man from Famagusta district, and a 26-year-old warder at the Central Prisons.
Request for adjournment granted
Zavrantonas’ defence lawyer requested a postponement, citing a pending appeal set for 31 October concerning his previous conviction. If there are developments in that appeal, the lawyer argued, the outcome could affect the present case. The court accepted the request and adjourned proceedings until 21 November, when the defendants are expected to respond to the charges.
Defence lawyers for the third, fourth and fifth defendants, the parents and brother of the 37-year-old woman, declared readiness to respond immediately, but agreed to wait until the other defendants are also in a position to enter pleas.
All defendants remain free under restrictive conditions, except for the first accused, Zavrantonas, who will remain in custody for this case. He is already serving a 22-year prison sentence for drug offences.
The case centres on an alleged criminal network. Police believe Zavrantonas acted as the mastermind, organising operations via mobile phone from within the Central Prisons, with the assistance of his 37-year-old partner.