01/06/2016 15:19
President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who testified today before the Assize Court as a defence witness in the trial of former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotokritou, told reporters after his testimony that he did his duty to the judicial system in Cyprus.
«I have done my duty towards the justice system in my country. When I was called as a witness I had no other choice,” the President said, pointing out that any refusal to appear before the court would have been considered as contempt of court.
In statements at the Presidential Palace on his return from the Assize Court, the President said that “if we demand from ordinary citizens to comply, to respect and be law-abiding citizens, we demand this even more from the first citizen of the country”, which is the President.
President Anastasiades appeared on Wednesday before the Assize Court in Nicosia as a defense witness in the trial of former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotokritou, lawyers Andreas Kyprizoglou and Panayiotis Neocleous and the law firm of `Andreas Neocleous`.
President Anastasiades was called by Erotokritou`s defense to appear before the court as a witness in the procedure of the former Deputy Attorney General`s apology before the Assize Court.
It is noted that the Court, in its interim decision on the 3rd of March 2016, ruled that there was a prima facie case against the defendants and invited them to present their arguments.
Erotokritou faces charges of bribery of a public official, bribery of other officials, abuse of power and transactions which indicate corruption.
Panayiotis Neocleous and the law firm face charges of bribery of a public official, active bribery of public officials and transactions which indicate corruption.
All four defendants face charges of conspiracy to prevent the course of justice and conspiracy to defraud.
President of the Cyprus Bar Association Doros Ioannides has told CNA that it is the first time that a President of Cyprus testifies as a defense witness in a criminal case.
The examination and cross-examination of the President focused on the meetings he had at the Presidential Palace with Erotokritou, when he was Deputy Attorney General and Attorney General Costas Clerides.
«I have done my duty towards the justice system in my country. When I was called as a witness I had no other choice,” the President said, pointing out that any refusal to appear before the court would have been considered as contempt of court.
In statements at the Presidential Palace on his return from the Assize Court, the President said that “if we demand from ordinary citizens to comply, to respect and be law-abiding citizens, we demand this even more from the first citizen of the country”, which is the President.
President Anastasiades appeared on Wednesday before the Assize Court in Nicosia as a defense witness in the trial of former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotokritou, lawyers Andreas Kyprizoglou and Panayiotis Neocleous and the law firm of `Andreas Neocleous`.
President Anastasiades was called by Erotokritou`s defense to appear before the court as a witness in the procedure of the former Deputy Attorney General`s apology before the Assize Court.
It is noted that the Court, in its interim decision on the 3rd of March 2016, ruled that there was a prima facie case against the defendants and invited them to present their arguments.
Erotokritou faces charges of bribery of a public official, bribery of other officials, abuse of power and transactions which indicate corruption.
Panayiotis Neocleous and the law firm face charges of bribery of a public official, active bribery of public officials and transactions which indicate corruption.
All four defendants face charges of conspiracy to prevent the course of justice and conspiracy to defraud.
President of the Cyprus Bar Association Doros Ioannides has told CNA that it is the first time that a President of Cyprus testifies as a defense witness in a criminal case.
The examination and cross-examination of the President focused on the meetings he had at the Presidential Palace with Erotokritou, when he was Deputy Attorney General and Attorney General Costas Clerides.
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