The Sandy case will proceed before the Nicosia Permanent Criminal Court after Makarios Drousiotis and Kyriaki Kyriakou appeared before the Nicosia District Court on Wednesday.
The hearing began shortly before 9:00 a.m., with the Prosecution arguing that the 101 charges could not be dealt with through summary proceedings and requesting a direct referral to the Criminal Court.
Defence challenges referral
The defence lawyers representing Drousiotis argued that the case was not suitable for trial before the Criminal Court based on the charges brought. They also said they had not received all the evidence in the case.
The Prosecution responded that the only material withheld from the evidence provided related to personal data.
Kyriaki Kyriakou, meanwhile, submitted a request for legal aid, with the court hearing that she receives a single-parent allowance.
December referral date
The judge ruled that the indictment should be examined by the Criminal Court and set 15 December as the date for the direct referral.
There was no request for the two accused to be remanded in custody. Bail was set at €10,000.
The 101 charges relate to offences including preparing a forged document, circulating a forged document, publishing false news and harassment, according to the Law Office of the Republic.
Also read: “Sandy” case: Report points to false claims, fabricated evidence
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