The trial concerning Cyprus’s controversial citizenship-by-investment program, as exposed by Al Jazeera in 2020, began today despite attempts by the Prosecution to secure a brief adjournment. The case, which has been delayed multiple times, centers on allegations tied to five charges, two of which may hinge on the availability of key witnesses who have proven difficult to locate.

Haris Karaolidou, representing the Prosecution, sought a 10-day delay, citing difficulties in securing sworn testimonies from two critical witnesses. One witness, a non-resident of Cyprus, initially expressed willingness to testify but has since ceased communication. Despite police efforts to reestablish contact, her participation remains uncertain.

The second witness, recently confirmed to have relocated to London, has cited medical reasons and alleged threats to his safety as reasons for his inability to attend court. Karaolidou raised concerns over the credibility of this witness, noting inconsistencies in their communications that could impact their reliability in court.

The Prosecution argued that resolving these issues is vital to determining the viability of charges four and five, which depend on the testimony of these witnesses. Karaolidou emphasized that proceeding without clarity could result in unnecessary legal complications.

The defense firmly opposed the adjournment request. Christos Triantafyllides, representing former House Speaker Demetris Syllouris, insisted his client has been eager for the trial to proceed after four years of delays. He dismissed claims of threats and denied any involvement by his client in such allegations. Triantafyllides accused the Prosecution of creating unnecessary obstacles, stating that the delays had caused irreparable damage to his client’s reputation.

Similarly, Giorgos Papaioannou, defending Christakis Giovanni, expressed frustration with the Prosecution’s lack of preparedness but agreed to a 10-day delay for practical reasons. Andreas Pittadjis, representing Antonis Antoniou, criticized the witnesses for their alleged refusal to testify in person, questioning their motives and credibility.

Rejecting the Prosecution’s request, the Court emphasized its duty to ensure timely justice. “The trial has been postponed numerous times. Unless exceptional circumstances arise, cases must proceed as scheduled,” stated the Presiding Judge. However, the court allowed the Prosecution to present its first witness and documentary evidence related to the initial three charges, granting additional time to address issues tied to the remaining charges during subsequent hearings.

The next session, scheduled beyond the requested 10-day period, offers a window for the Prosecution to resolve its challenges concerning the two contested charges.

As proceedings unfold, the trial is poised to test the credibility of Cyprus’s judicial system while reigniting debates on transparency and accountability in its political and legal processes.