Paphos mayor rape case trial to begin on May 28

Suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos’ alleged rape was on Tuesday referred to the Paphos criminal court, with proceedings scheduled to begin on May 28.

The hearing took place behind closed doors following a request by the prosecution.

Phedonos was accompanied by his lawyers Christos Pourgourides and Epaminondas Korakides, as well as his wife, relatives and friends.

Prosecution representative Eirini Savva requested that the hearing be conducted behind closed doors, citing the need to protect the privacy of the alleged victim.

The law allows this particularly in cases involving violence against women. She stressed that rape cases need heightened protective measures.

For the defence, Pourgourides raised no objection to the request on Tuesday but said when the case is heard before the criminal court, proceedings should be conducted in public.

“The accused cannot be publicly vilified for months while the trial itself takes place behind closed doors,” he said, stressing the need for full transparency so that “everything can be heard”.

The court accepted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the proceedings be held without the presence of the public.

The suspended mayor signed bail of €100,000.

He faces four serious charges: rape, indecent assault, administering substances to incapacitate a person with intent to commit a felony or misdemeanour, and assault causing actual bodily harm.

The criminal prosecution had initially been registered in Limassol before being refiled in Paphos, where the offences under investigation are alleged to have taken place.

The case was investigated by a special inquiry team from the police headquarters following a complaint by a businessman and the alleged victim.

Despite earlier announcements circulating on social media, no group of citizens gathered outside the Paphos court during Tuesday’s proceedings.