A senior witness for the prosecution testified on Tuesday before the Paphos Criminal Court, as the trial of suspended Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos continued.
According to information obtained by Politis, the witness is a senior officer of the Cyprus Police who was serving at Police Headquarters' Criminal Investigation Department (CID) during the period in which the alleged offences are said to have taken place.
The witness was called by the prosecution and subsequently cross-examined by the defendant's lawyers, Christos Pourgourides and Nondas Korakidis.
Phedonos, who is currently suspended from his duties as Paphos mayor, was also present before the Paphos Criminal Court.
Next hearings set for October
The court scheduled the next hearings for 15 and 16 October, starting at 9am.
A witness who had been due to give evidence at the previous hearing was unable to appear again on Tuesday because of a health problem that resulted in the witness being admitted to a private hospital in Nicosia.
According to information obtained by Politis, the witness is in good health but has been advised to rest.
Complainant expected to testify by video link
The complainant has not yet given evidence. According to information, she is expected to be the final witness and is likely to testify via video link.
Phedonos faces five charges relating to rape, indecent assault against a woman, indecent assault against a woman involving another act, assault causing actual bodily harm, and administering a drug or other substance capable of causing unconsciousness or disabling a person's power of resistance.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all five charges.
Once the prosecution has completed the presentation of its evidence, the court is expected to determine whether a prima facie case has been established, allowing the proceedings to move to the next stage.
Proceedings held behind closed doors
The trial is being conducted behind closed doors following an application by the prosecution, which was granted by the Paphos Criminal Court.
The defence had opposed the application.
