Phedonos pleads not guilty to rape and abuse charges

Suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos, who is on trial for rape and domestic abuse, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to five charges, including rape and domestic abuse.

The hearing will be held over five consecutive days, from July 27 to 31, at 9am.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution filed a request for the trial to be held behind closed doors to protect the complainant and submitted a three-page relevant statement.

Defence lawyer Christos Pourgourides said his client would object the request, adding that a criminal prosecution could not proceed without the indictment being read out in court, after which the request could be examined.

Prosecution representative Irene Savva disagreed, saying that it was necessary to protect the details of a person mentioned in the indictment.

The presiding judge suggested that the proceedings move forward without the name of the complainant being mentioned.

However, Savva insisted that other information was sensitive and that the person would not be adequately protected.

The court adjourned to discuss the issue and will return shortly with a decision.

On returning, presiding judge Lia Markou clarified that the right to a public hearing was a constitutional right, however the duty of the court was to maintain a balance between the rights of either side with the aim of securing a fair trial.

Markou said that at this point, if the name of the complainant would not be mentioned, her identity would not be revealed.

The court said it would hear the arguments of both sides before deciding if the trial would be held behind closed doors.

The suspended mayor faces four serious charges, including rape, indecent assault, administering substances with intent to commit a felony or misdemeanour and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Phedonos has repeatedly denied all the allegations.

Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced that a new judge has been appointed to the criminal court.

The Supreme Court appointed Maria Socratous to replace Nikodemos Fakontis, who requested to recuse himself from the three-member panel, citing factors that could potentially create a conflict of interest or raise questions regarding the impartiality of the proceedings.

The new composition for the trial is presiding judge Lia Markou and district judges Theodoros Symeonides and Maria Socratous.