Six of the seven defendants in the so-called Zavrantonas case were released on bail on Friday, as the alleged criminal network is formally headed to trial before the Nicosia Permanent Criminal Court in October.
The high-profile case involves charges relating to drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and organised crime. The main suspect, 48-year-old Giorgos Christodoulou, widely known as Zavrantonas, remains in custody due to the seriousness of the allegations and his extensive criminal record.
The accused include Christodoulou’s 37-year-old partner, her parents and brother, a 40-year-old man from Famagusta, and a 26-year-old prison officer at the Central Prisons. All, except Zavrantonas, have been released on strict bail conditions pending their trial on 3 October 2025 at 09:00.
Those released must each post €50,000 in cash or secure a guarantor for the same amount, surrender travel documents, report to a police station weekly, and remain on the stop list, barring them from leaving the Republic.
Prosecutor Antigoni Michael requested that Zavrantonas remain in detention, citing the risk of reoffending. She noted that although he is already serving a 22-year prison sentence for drug offences, there are ongoing concerns given his history of violent crime and arms offences.
Zavrantonas has been convicted repeatedly since 1999, with offences including manslaughter, firearm possession, conspiracy to murder, and possession of explosives. Most of these convictions resulted in concurrent sentences ranging from 2 to 12 years, with his most recent conviction handed down in 2020 for possession of a Class A controlled substance with intent to supply.
Although his lawyer, Dimitris Tsolakkidis, argued that many of the convictions are “distant” and that a pending appeal on a 2022 conviction remains unresolved, the court sided with the prosecution in continuing his detention.
All seven defendants face multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit a felony and a misdemeanour
- Violations of anti-corruption laws
- Unlawful possession of property
- Money laundering from criminal activity
The case has drawn attention due to the profile of the individuals involved and the broad scope of the alleged criminal network. Proceedings will resume this autumn.
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