Turkish Cypriot former MEP candidate Oz Karahan and Greek Cypriot former Sigma TV journalist Giorgos Tattis on Friday both pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them following their arrest for unfurling a banner which contained “political content” at last year’s independence day parade.

The pair face charges including assaulting a police officer and obstructing law enforcement in the performance of their duties.

The pair’s lawyer, Socrates Tziazas, told the Cyprus News Agency after Friday’s hearing that the prosecution “has not yet delivered all the evidence which has repeatedly been requested”.

The case’s next hearing has been scheduled for October 22.

Meanwhile, the first hearing of Tattis’ lawsuit against his former employer regarding his dismissal a few days after the incident has also been scheduled for October.

Karahan and Tattis were arrested in October last year after unfurling a banner which read “Republic of Cyprus: the only solution” at an independence day parade. The police found that the banner contained “political content” – something which is forbidden at independence day parades.

Reports suggested that the pair unfurled the banner before being informed by police that displaying banners with political content at the parade is prohibited. However, they reportedly refused to take the banner down, and as such were arrested.

The police had said at the time that they had approached the pair, and that one of them had “reacted by abusing police officers”.

Additionally, the police said, both resisted arrest, and were both thus re-arrested. One of the pair was also arrested for assaulting a police officer.