cocaine trial — The cocaine trial has taken a surprising turn as the key witness, Yiannis Andreou, admitted to lying about the ownership of 15 kilograms of cocaine during his initial testimony. This revelation came during court proceedings on Thursday, as Andreou, also known as ‘Maronas’, explained that his first deposition was not truthful.
Andreou, who initially claimed the drugs were his, stated, “My first deposition was not the truth, the second one was the truth.” His change of heart places significant weight on the ongoing trial of Giorgos ‘Zavrantonas’ Christodoulou, who faces serious charges related to drug importation.
This case is currently being re-tried after an appeals court overturned Christodoulou’s previous conviction, which resulted in a 22-year prison sentence handed down in December 2022. The court mandated a complete retrial, leading to the new developments in this case.
Andreou had previously been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in the cocaine case but was granted a presidential pardon after serving four years. This pardon enables him to testify without the risk of self-incrimination due to double jeopardy, allowing him to provide crucial evidence against Christodoulou.
During his testimony, Andreou recounted the significant events surrounding his arrest in January 2019. He admitted to discarding a 1kg packet of cocaine from his veranda as police closed in. Surveillance footage showed officers apprehending Aristos Kyprianou, who was parked outside Andreou’s residence in Lakatamia.
In his statements, Andreou detailed how Christodoulou had instructed him to collect the cocaine, having been in contact since 2016. Just days prior to Andreou’s arrest, Christodoulou had travelled to the Netherlands to organise the smuggling operation, subsequently directing Andreou on how to receive the drugs upon their arrival in Cyprus.
Despite his earlier claims of ownership, Andreou clarified that Kyprianou was merely accompanying him at the time and had no knowledge of the narcotics. Under cross-examination, he maintained that his first statement was motivated by fear and a desire to protect a friend, asserting that his second testimony was accurate.
When questioned about his previous experience with narcotics importation, Andreou admitted to involvement but deflected further inquiries by suggesting that Christodoulou would have more information on the matter. His assertion that he was Christodoulou’s “man” raised eyebrows in the courtroom, casting doubt on the integrity of his prior claims.
Andreou faced scrutiny from Christodoulou’s legal team, who suggested that his change in testimony was linked to a deal for witness protection. He firmly denied these allegations, claiming he was compelled to testify only because he felt his life was in danger. “Even today, I can look you in the eye and say that I’m in danger,” he stated emphatically during his testimony.
The trial is set to continue on Friday, with the courtroom awaiting further developments in this high-stakes case. Andreou’s admission of lying under oath has undoubtedly shifted the dynamics, as both defence and prosecution prepare for the next phase of the trial.
