Nicosia Criminal Court on Friday committed seven people to trial over an alleged criminal network purportedly directed from Central Prison and generating up to €1 million in recent months.
Judge Charalambos Satsias ordered the defendants to appear before Nicosia Criminal Court on 3 October.
The alleged network was reportedly masterminded by 48-year-old convicted drug dealer Giorgos Christodoulou-Zavrantonas, who is currently serving a 22-year sentence for cocaine possession with intent to supply. Zavrantonas has appealed his December 2022 conviction and awaits a second-instance court ruling.
The defendants include a 37-year-old beauty salon owner allegedly linked to Zavrantonas, her parents, her brother, a 40-year-old man from Famagusta district, and a 26-year-old female prison guard at Central Prison.
Charges include money laundering proceeds from illegal activities and corruption.
Prosecutor Antigoni Michail requested Zavrantonas remain in custody, citing risk of reoffending similar crimes. Defence lawyer Dimitris Tsolakidis reserved the right to challenge his client’s detention pending the appeal outcome.
Judge Satsias granted bail to the remaining six defendants under conditions including €50,000 cash payment or guarantor signature, passport surrender to police, placement on the exit prohibition list, and weekly police station reporting.
Police investigator Makis Nikolaou presented evidence suggesting the network generated €50,000 weekly, with intelligence sources indicating total proceeds of €1 million in recent months.
Court documents revealed communications occurred through encrypted messaging applications including WhatsApp and Signal. Zavrantonas allegedly maintained constant contact with the 37-year-old woman and her mother, providing instructions for managing proceeds from purported illegal activities.
The 40-year-old Famagusta man allegedly acted on Zavrantonas’s instructions, collecting various sums from properties before delivering them to the 37-year-old woman, who reportedly distributed funds among network participants.
Evidence presented showed the 26-year-old prison guard sent messages expressing willingness to assist her convicted friend. Court-obtained messages allegedly showed the guard warning the beauty salon owner about Central Prison management preparations, urging her to alert Zavrantonas.
The prison guard is reportedly a client of the beauty salon owner, who appears to be Zavrantonas’s partner.
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