The trial in the case concerning documents from the Central Prisons was postponed on Thursday before the Nicosia Criminal Court and rescheduled for 5 May 2026 at 9am.
The postponement was granted due to the absence of the representative of the Prosecution, for personal reasons, as stated in court.
During the proceedings, defence lawyer Christos Triantafyllidis, representing former Central Prisons director Anna Aristotelous, said the defence had intended to raise an issue regarding the inspection of documents. He argued that the inspection had not taken place to date, despite a relevant direction issued by the court at the previous hearing, attributing this to the handling of the matter by the Prosecution.
The case was re‑listed for 5 May 2026 for the purpose of legal arguments on issues that arose during the previous hearing on 26 March, relating, among other matters, to the management of and access to evidentiary material.
It is clarified that at the previous hearing, following a defence application concerning non‑disclosure of documents and the right to a fair trial, the Criminal Court ruled that the disputed documents should be placed before it in order to decide whether non‑disclosure to the defence was justified. The court stressed that the burden of proof rests with the Prosecution. At the same time, it issued directions allowing defence counsel to inspect the documents and argue the matter.
The Prosecution has granted full access to 2,900 classified documents, citing grounds provided for under the Criminal Procedure Law, including the protection of a significant public interest, the security of the investigation, the protection of third‑party rights and issues of national security.
It is recalled that the accused in the case include former Central Prisons director Anna Aristotelous, former deputy director Athina Demetriou, five serving members of the prison staff and one former member, now a police officer.
The defendants face nine joint charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, theft of state property involving 48,432 documents, theft of 370 architectural plans of the Central Prisons, and theft of 431 items relating to digital storage devices and other electronic equipment. Additional charges concern abuse of power in relation to the transfer of documents, plans and digital data outside the prison premises, specifically to the home of the chief warder.
Anna Aristotelous faces an additional charge, as the indictment alleges that while serving as director she allowed the leakage of classified documents.
Source: CNA