Trial against suspended mayor of Paphos in camera
Trial against suspended mayor of Paphos in camera
The criminal trial against the suspended mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, has once again attracted great public interest in Cyprus. The Permanent Jury Court of Paphos has decided that the entire trial will take place behind closed doors. This step was justified by the protection of the alleged victims and their privacy.
Serious allegations
The long-time mayor is accused of several crimes. According to the public prosecutor's office, the charges include a total of five counts, including:
- rape,
- two cases of sexual assault or indecent acts,
- assault and
- the administration of a narcotic or mind-impairing substance with the aim of eliminating the resistance of the alleged victim.
The accusations relate to an incident that, according to the investigation, is said to have occurred several years ago - presumably in 2014. Phedonas Phedonos denies all accusations and has pleaded not guilty in court.
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Why is the hearing taking place behind closed doors?
The court justified its decision by saying that the complainant's statement had to be made without public pressure and without the risk of social stigmatisation.
According to the judges, a public hearing could:
- significantly affect the privacy of the alleged victims,
- influence their testimony and
- create additional psychological pressure.
For this reason, neither spectators may participate in the trial nor may content from the court transcripts be published. At the same time, the court emphasized that this would not restrict the procedural rights of the accused.
Mayor suspended for months
Phedonas Phedonos was provisionally suspended from his office as mayor as early as February 2026 due to the ongoing investigations. He had tried to take legal action against this suspension, but was unsuccessful.
The case caused intense political discussions in Cyprus for months, as Phedonos is considered one of the country's best-known local politicians and had gained national prominence in the past, especially for his determined fight against corruption.
Several consecutive trial days were scheduled for the trial. During this time, witnesses are to be heard and the evidence of both the prosecution and the defense is to be comprehensively examined. However, due to the court order, no details from the witness statements are publicly disclosed.
The presumption of innocence applies
Regardless of the seriousness of the allegations made, the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence also applies in these proceedings. Guilt or innocence is decided exclusively by the competent court after the taking of evidence has been completed. Until a final verdict, the defendant is to be considered legally innocent.
The case is currently one of the most high-profile criminal proceedings in Cyprus and is likely to continue to attract a lot of attention, both legally and politically.
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Source: wikipedia / Phillenews / CyprusMail
