What changed
2026-07-27 05:34 UTC → 2026-07-31 05:30 UTC ·
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In late June 2026 the The suspended mayor of Paphos, Faïdōn Faïdōnos, appeared before the Permanent Criminal Court on faces five charges serious sexual‑offence charges, including rape and indecent assault. Prosecutors sought After prosecutors secured a closed‑door hearing format to protect the complainant, while the defence argued for a public indictment. By mid‑July the court Permanent Criminal Court confirmed that the trial would be held behind closed doors. On 16 July the court formally announced that the five‑day hearing, set for 27 July to 31 July, would take place without public or media access. The mayor continued to deny all charges. The prosecution’s representative cited legislation protecting victims of sexual crimes, and the defence agreed to the private format after reviewing case law. private. The trial commenced hearing opened on 27 July as scheduled. A 2026 behind closed doors, with a new panel of judges – President Lia Markou, Judge Theodoros Simeonidis and Judge Maria Sokratous – presided after the previous judge recused himself. presiding. The court reinforced reiterated the prohibition ban on publishing any publication of the proceedings, referencing citing European Court of Human Rights guidance on closed‑door trials in sexual‑offence cases. The guidance. On 31 July the court postponed the trial, citing the prosecution’s inability to secure additional witnesses. A new hearing is date was set for 10 September 2026, and the case will continue under the same closed‑door order. The prosecution, led by Senior Attorney Mikela Pasardi, expects to run each day until 31 July. call roughly twenty witnesses, while the mayor maintains his denial of all allegations.