The Attorney General's Office has refuted claims that a criminal prosecution case was suspended by association, namely a connection of the accused with Assistant Attorney General Savvas Angelides' former law office, arguing that the nolle prosequi was ordered because witness testimony collapsed.
According to a Legal Service statement, 'reports circulating over the past few days are completely false and misleading'.
They pertain to accounts that Angelides allegedly stepped in to suspend the prosecution of an individual that was accused of involvement in a bomb attack, due to a previous professional connection of the suspect with the Assistant Attorney General's former law office.
'The content of such positions is based on fragmentary and selective information, that is not just inaccurate, but is seeking to create erroneous impressions and strike at institutions', the statement added.
The Legal Service clarified that the decision to suspend prosecution was not connected with any request by the accused but was determined by the fact that at trial, key witnesses changed their minds and decided not to testify in court.
In addition, as the LS notes, a further important witness retracted significant elements of his testimony, which virtually neutralised the case against one of the suspects. There was no proof anymore, the AG concluded.
It is also clarified that the decision was reached by the Attorney General following a relevant suggestion from the lawyers who handled the case, with the Assistant AG exempt from any involvement.
Those accused continued facing charges of narcotics possession, on which they were fould guilty.
Here's the Legal Service Statement:-
Through recent positions and statements, specific individuals, circulating fragmented to selective information which are riddled with inaccuracies, are attempting to create a prevailing atmosphere in regard to the handling of a case by the Assistant Attorney General in a manner that supposedly damages the institution, specifically that he ordered the suspension of criminal prosecution against an individual who was allegedly involved in a bomb attack, because of a previous connection with the Savvas Angelides former law office.
Nothing further from the truth.
The Legal Service decision to suspend the criminal prosecution against the aforementioned individual became an inevitability when during the start of trial, the key witnesses provided new testimony to police authorities, retracting their intention to testify in court.
In addition, yet another key witness retracted previous testimony against one of the accused, essentially neutralising the charge that he was involved in the offence.
Such developments led to complete lack of testimony to support charges and the Legal Service made the decision to suspend without any previous request from the accused.
The suspension reasons were stated in court during the trial and registered in the minutes of the process.
The Attorney General decided to suspend the prosecution following advice from the Legal Service attorneys that handled the case, as well as the competent prosecutor.
The Assistant Attorney General was exempt from the outset.
It is noted that the accused in question, as well as a second individual, were also facing a narcotics possession charge, on which they were found guilty and a sentence was subsequently passed.