The corruption trial linked to an Al Jazeera investigation into Cyprus’s citizenship-by-investment scheme began on Monday, with uncertainty over whether a key prosecution witness will testify via videoconference from abroad.
British estate agent Tony Kay, who was involved in the Qatar-based network’s 2020 exposé, has cited health concerns and threats as reasons for refusing to travel to Cyprus to testify in person.
Prosecutors said Kay is willing to give evidence remotely.
The case involves former House President Demetris Syllouris, ex-MP and businessman Christakis Giovani, and Giovani’s company director Antonis Antoniou.
They face five charges including influence peddling and conspiracy to defraud in connection with the naturalisation of foreign investors.
State prosecutor Charis Charalambidou told the Criminal Court that Kay’s testimony is crucial for two of the charges against all three defendants. Defence lawyers opposed remote testimony, with the court expected to rule on the matter next Wednesday.
Should prosecutors fail to present Kay’s evidence, charges four and five could be withdrawn, which would result in Antoniou’s complete exoneration from the case.
Three prosecution witnesses testified during Monday’s hearing, including two police officers and an Interior Ministry official.
The charges stem from alleged corruption in the naturalisation applications of a Jordanian businessman and his relative, a Russian entrepreneur, and a Chinese investor with a criminal record, as revealed in Al Jazeera’s investigation.
The first charge alleges that Syllouris and Giovani accepted improper advantages for themselves and companies including NISSINI LTD, LANUZA LTD and FIDESCORP LTD, to influence public officials regarding the expedited citizenship application of Zaineh Ali Himli Armoush.
Two additional charges relate to the naturalisation of an individual identified as Gornovskiy, with Syllouris and Giovani accused of conspiring to defraud the Republic of Cyprus by processing his citizenship application despite his lacking a residence permit. The trial continues.
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