The Paphos Criminal Court announced today, Thursday, that proceedings in the case against suspended city mayor Phedon Phedonos will be held behind closed doors.
The court reached the decision after prosecution representative Irene Savva requested it, citing both the need to protect the complainant and the provisions of relevant legislation.
The trial is set to begin on July 27. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all five charges the suspended Paphos Mayor faces.
Phedonos faces the following charges:
- Rape
- Two counts of indecent assault
- Causing actual bodily harm
- Administering a drug or other substance capable of causing stupefaction and overpowering the victim’s ability to react or resist
The court announced its decision and then asked journalists to leave the courtroom.
The hearing has been scheduled to run from July 27 to July 31, starting at 9:00am daily.
The case dates back to an alleged rape said to have taken place in 2014. A specially constituted investigative team looked into the complaint under strict secrecy, reportedly taking more than 20 statements, including from individuals who held public office at the time. The case was initially registered before Limassol District Court, before Nicosia’s Attorney General’s office suspended the prosecution and had it transferred to another district; it was ultimately committed to trial before Paphos Criminal Court.
