**Drousiotis, Kyriakou Referred to Criminal Court in High-Profile Case**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Journalist Makarios Drousiotis and Kyriaki Kyriakou, known as Sandy, have been directly referred to the Nicosia criminal court for trial in connection with a case that involves a total of 101 charges. This decision was made during their initial appearance at the Nicosia district court on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Alexia Siapani presented the Attorney-General's position, arguing that the nature of the charges warranted a trial in the criminal court rather than a summary trial. The charges against the defendants encompass a range of serious allegations, including forgery, circulating forged documents, publishing false news, and harassment.
The legal representatives for Drousiotis, Leto Cariolou and Alexandros Clerides, contested the prosecution's stance, asserting that the charge sheet did not adequately support a case for trial in the criminal court. They indicated their intention to reserve the right to address this matter in the higher court.
Despite the defense's arguments, the president of the district court acknowledged that while the charges could potentially be tried summarily, the Attorney-General's recommendation led to the decision to refer the case directly to the criminal court. The trial is scheduled to commence on December 15, 2026, at 9 a.m.
Both defendants were released on bail after signing bonds of €10,000 each. The legal proceedings stem from a criminal case filed by the Legal Service at the Nicosia district court on July 24, following a thorough examination of evidence submitted by the police.
The origins of the case trace back to allegations made by Drousiotis in a public post in March 2026. In his statements, he made serious claims regarding corruption, implicating various parties, including a judge and the Legal Service, and referencing notable cases such as the "black van" and the Focus case. Following these allegations, a police investigation was initiated, which concluded that the messages that formed the basis of Drousiotis' claims were fabricated.
As the case progresses, it is important to note that both Drousiotis and Kyriakou are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The upcoming trial will be closely monitored, given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the serious implications of the charges they face.