5 high-profile trials await the fall

In Cyprus, the working year in the courts starts in September. In 2024, legal proceedings were launched over a number of scandals. What high-profile cases are planned to be considered?

Prosecutor General Giorgos Savvidis accused Auditor General Odysseas Mikhailidis of conduct unbecoming of his position. Hearings were held in June and July at which the parties tried to prove the existence of violations on the part of their opponents. A decision in this case is expected in September.

This is the fourth trial being conducted by the family of 26-year-old Fanasis Nikolaou, who died under strange circumstances. The young man was doing military service when one day he was found dead at the foot of a bridge in the forest. The present lawsuit concerns medical examiner Panikos Stavrianou, who wants to overturn the court's decision that Fanasis' death was caused by strangulation and not a fall from a height. If the previous court decision remains in force, a criminal investigation will be launched.

In September, the trial of two archimandrites from the Avvakum monastery in Fterikudi will take place. After the unscrupulous practices of the monastery and its handling of property came to the attention of the public, a criminal case was opened against two monks: Nektarios and Porphyrios. They are charged with 19 counts, including extortion, theft, money laundering, falsifying tax returns, and more. Metropolitan Isaias and 70 other laymen and priests will act as witnesses in the case.

A number of charges against the practices of the Avvakum Monastery will also be considered in the Church Court. Other monks are also expected to be suspended, property violations, assault on visitors, indecent behavior and sexualized violence will be dealt with. The Synod will consider all complaints received.

The Supreme Court is faced with the task of deciding the case on the legality of a new law of the Parliament of Cyprus; the initiator of the proceedings was the President of the Republic of Cyprus. On July 11, Parliament approved clarification of the law on the declaration of income and property of officials and introduced mandatory publication of declarations for several more officials: the prosecutor general, his assistant, the head of the presidential press service, chairmen of regional local governments and their deputies. The legality of the procedure for adopting the law will be examined by the court.

The text was prepared based on materials from Sigma 

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