The retrial of Giorgos Zavrantonas Christodoulou began on Monday at the Nicosia criminal court, focusing on charges of possessing 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to sell. Christodoulou has pleaded not guilty after his original 22-year sentence was overturned by the appeals court, which ordered the case to be retried from scratch.

During Monday’s session, the prosecution presented testimony from a drug squad officer involved in the 2019 arrests of two men found with cocaine in Lakatamia. Evidence including seized drugs and lab documents were introduced, but Christodoulou’s defense raised objections regarding the legality of holding this evidence, claiming a prior court order mandated its destruction. The court ruled the evidence retention was permitted, referencing a previous file from 2020.

The defense also objected to telecommunication data presented on a USB device, questioning its legality and disclosure. The trial is set to continue Tuesday as both sides address these critical evidentiary issues in the ongoing case.