Paphos: Court to decide whether Phedonos trial will be held behind closed doors
The Criminal Court of Paphos will decide whether the trial of suspended mayor Peda Phedonos, who is accused of rape and domestic violence, will be conducted behind closed doors.
Paphos: Court to decide whether Phedonos trial will be held behind closed doors
The Criminal Court of Paphos will decide today whether the trial of suspended mayor Peda Phedonos, who is accused of rape and domestic violence, will be conducted behind closed doors.
Phedonos pleaded not guilty to all charges last month. He faces five counts of rape, indecent assault, causing actual bodily harm, and administering a substance capable of removing the resistance of another person.
Prosecutor Irini Savva requested that the trial be held without public attendance, citing the need to protect the complainant. The legislation permits such proceedings in appropriate cases. The defendant's lawyer, Christos Pourouridis, had initially planned to object, but ultimately is not expected to do so.
The court clarified that the discussion of the request for closed doors will also take place under the same condition, as it may include material requiring protection. Following today's hearing, the next five sessions have been scheduled consecutively from 27 to 31 July.
The allegations of domestic violence emerged when influencer Ioanna Photiou, known as Annie Alexui, claimed to possess documents from Nicosia General Hospital from 2017, in which Phedonos's wife, Louiza Andreou, allegedly stated that she had been beaten by her husband. Andreou herself categorically denied the allegations, characterising them as a coordinated attack against her family.
The rape allegations emerged in February, when Paphos businessman Theodoros Aristodimou accused Phedonos of an act allegedly committed approximately ten years earlier. Aristodimou had previous disputes with Phedonos and the Municipality of Paphos, having been referred to trial in 2014 for a matter concerning land allocation, but was acquitted.
Following the allegations, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou suspended Phedonos from his duties. The suspended mayor receives one-third of his salary. The suspension will end when legal proceedings are completed. If he returns to his duties, he will be entitled to the money he lost during the period of suspension. Since February, Angelos Onisiforou has been acting as mayor.
Source: Cyprus Mail
Source: Cyprus Mail