golden passports — The state legal service must explain itself following the acquittal of Demetris Syllouris and Christakis Giovanis in the ‘golden passports scandal’. High-profile lawyer Elias Stephanou commented on the implications of the court’s decision during a statement on Thursday.
Golden passports: Concerns Over Witness Handling
Stephanou expressed concerns regarding the management of witnesses during the trial, particularly those who did not testify. He noted that some prosecution witnesses were granted immunity despite suspicions of criminal offences, a decision that has raised questions about their reliability and the integrity of the legal process.
Issues of Credibility and Trust
“We should not rush ahead,” Stephanou urged, highlighting that the legal service needs to clarify how it handled these witnesses, especially those who altered their statements from what they originally provided to investigative authorities.
He pointed out that the court of first instance had already deemed certain witnesses credible, and the appeal process would not reassess their testimony. “The appeal will focus solely on legal points,” he explained, meaning that any issues regarding witness credibility have already been settled.
Public Sentiment and Judicial Integrity
The acquittal of Syllouris and Giovanis, both of whom were found not guilty of all charges by a Nicosia criminal court, has not been received well by the public. The court identified “substantive gaps” in the prosecution’s evidence, leading to a swift announcement from the legal service of its intention to appeal the ruling.
Stephanou reflected on the broader implications of such high-profile cases, suggesting that they may contribute to a decline in public trust in the judiciary. “The public’s feeling is a result not only of this decision but of a series of decisions,” he remarked, emphasising the need for the authorities to act in restoring faith in the justice system.
Impact of the Al Jazeera Exposé
The case gained significant attention after Al Jazeera aired an exposé in October 2020, revealing how certain individuals were willing to offer citizenship to a fictional Chinese businessman with a criminal record. Following the documentary, both Syllouris and Giovanis resigned from their positions.
While the Al Jazeera footage was not submitted as evidence during the trial, its revelations led to the government abolishing the citizenship by investment scheme, which had drawn scrutiny from the European Union for allegedly facilitating the sale of passports to dubious individuals.
