The Nicosia Permanent Criminal Court rejected the defense’s request for the production of documents and electronic records, ruling that the prosecution’s refusal to produce them constitutes a necessary measure to protect the public interest and that there are no grounds for issuing an order. The interim decision was read on [date] and concerns the criminal prosecution of the former director of the Central Prison, Anna Aristotelous, and seven other individuals, in connection with prison documents found at the prison guard’s home.
Meanwhile, Anna Aristotelous’s attorney, Christos Triantafyllides, stated that at the next hearing he will raise the issue of whether a fair trial is possible, if the Prosecution continues to be represented by First Attorney of the Republic Vasilis Bissas.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Vasilis Bissas, who then took the floor, made it clear that he would continue to represent the prosecution in the case.
The next hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at 9:30 a.m.
The defendants in the case are the former director of the Central Prison, Anna Aristotelous, the former deputy director, Athina Dimitriou, five members of the correctional facility’s staff, and a former staff member who is now a police officer.
The eight defendants face nine charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony and theft of government property, involving 48,432 documents, 370 architectural plans of the Central Prison, and 431 items containing digital data.
The charges also include abuse of authority in connection with the transfer of documents, plans, and digital data from the prison to the chief warden’s residence.
Anna Aristotelous faces an additional charge, as, according to the indictment, she allegedly allowed classified documents to be leaked while she was director of the correctional facility.
Source: CNA
