The Legal Service of Cyprus has declared its unequivocal intention to contest the recent acquittal of former House Speaker Demetris Syllouris and ex-MP Christakis Giovanis, who faced charges stemming from alleged malfeasance within the nation's former citizenship-by-investment programme. This decision, announced following a press conference by the prosecuting authority, signals a significant escalation in a high-profile case that has captivated public attention since its inception, amplified by an explosive undercover investigation broadcast by Al Jazeera in 2020.
The Nicosia Permanent Criminal Court delivered its verdict earlier this week, acquitting Syllouris and Giovanis. However, the prosecuting body has identified what it terms "judicial errors" within the ruling, prompting this swift move towards an appeal. Polina Evthyvoulou, heading communications for the Legal Service and serving as a public prosecutor, articulated the rationale, stating, "An appeal will be filed because judicial errors have been identified. The presumption of innocence is respected, but it does not remove the right of the prosecution to seek review." Evthyvoulou also emphasised that judicial decisions, while requiring respect, do not preclude a disagreement from the prosecution's perspective.
Central to the Legal Service's grounds for appeal is the dissenting opinion of one of the three judges on the panel. This minority view suggested that conviction was a viable outcome on at least one of the charges, thereby indicating a divergence of judicial interpretation that the prosecution intends to leverage. Furthermore, the admissibility of key evidence, specifically the Al Jazeera undercover footage, proved a significant stumbling block. The court ruled this material inadmissible, deeming it the product of an unlawful act, and consequently relied on other admissible testimony and documentary evidence. The prosecution has expressed frustration with such rulings, arguing that it hampered their ability to present a comprehensive case.
The path to this point has been fraught with challenges for the prosecution. Beyond the contentious admissibility of the Al Jazeera video, securing crucial witness testimony proved exceptionally difficult. Many potential witnesses reportedly faced intimidation, experienced health-related impediments to testifying, or had already departed the country, further complicating the evidentiary landscape. The Legal Service highlighted these obstacles as contributing factors to the difficulties encountered during the trial.
The decision to appeal means the case will now be escalated to the Court of Appeal, a process that will undoubtedly extend the duration of one of Cyprus's most scrutinised political and financial crime proceedings. The Legal Service also used the press conference to voice concerns about what they perceive as attempts to discredit the work of public prosecutors. They issued a stern warning that criticism directed at civil servants involved in the justice system could ultimately weaken its integrity and efficacy. The initial acquittal had already ignited public discourse regarding the evidentiary weight of investigative journalism and the strict legal parameters governing its use in court. The Legal Service's resolute stance promises a protracted legal battle, underscoring the gravity with which they view the alleged transgressions and the importance of judicial review.