Legal Service Appeals Acquittal in Cyprus ‘Golden Passport’ Case

The Legal Service has formally appealed against the recent acquittal of former House President Dimitris Syllouris and ex-MP Christakis Giovani by the Criminal Court of Nicosia in the widely-discussed ‘Golden Passport’ scandal.

This development marks a pivotal new phase in a case that has deeply impacted Cyprus’s citizenship-by-investment programme as well as its property market. The announcement came during a press conference where the Legal Service outlined their rationale for the appeal.

Grounds for the Appeal

According to the Legal Service, the Criminal Court’s lengthy 170-page decision contains several judicial errors that require correction. These issues, highlighted by the Prosecution Authority, justify taking the matter to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.

Polina Efthivoulou, Head of the Legal Service Communications Team, explained that the appeal centres on specific legal and evidentiary points, including:

• The evaluation of witnesses not directly called to testify in court
• Interpretative legal questions raised by the court’s rationale

Senior State Attorneys Andreas Aristides and Christiana Kytheraiotou were also present at the press briefing, reinforcing the seriousness of the prosecution’s position.

A Divided Ruling and Its Implications

The Criminal Court’s verdict was not unanimous. Senior District Judge Maria Loizou dissented, believing the defendants should have been convicted on the third charge concerning influence peddling.

The three-judge panel, led by President Nikolaos Georgiades, delivered this split decision, which now faces further judicial scrutiny with the appeal.

Why the Al Jazeera Footage Was Excluded as Evidence

Addressing questions about the undercover video footage aired by Al Jazeera, Ms. Efthivoulou clarified that although authorities reviewed the unedited footage, legal standards prevent evidence obtained unlawfully from being admitted in court.

Instead, those recorded in the conversations were summoned as witnesses to testify, allowing the court to consider their statements without relying on the audiovisual material itself.

The investigative piece by Al Jazeera had previously exposed various questionable citizenship grants within the programme, stoking public and institutional scrutiny.

Continuing the Legal Battle

With the appeal now filed, the Court of Appeal will reassess the prosecution’s arguments and the legal points raised. Meanwhile, the defendants maintain their rights to challenge this process.

This case retains significant public interest due to its links to Cyprus’ erstwhile ‘Golden Passport’ scheme—an investment programme that drove substantial foreign capital and boosted demand in the island’s luxury market Villas and properties, before it was permanently halted following EU infringement actions.

Background: The Official Inquiry and Consequences

In August 2020, former Supreme Court judge Myron Nikolatos led an official inquiry into the citizenship-by-investment programme. The interim report exposed severe flaws, with citizenship in over half of reviewed applications granted unlawfully or with irregularities.

Despite multiple investigations and the damning report, no criminal convictions have yet been made against individuals involved in the scandal—highlighting the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the issue.

For buyers looking beyond headlines, exploring market options like Cheap Apartments for Sale Cyprus could be a practical step toward securing property amid ongoing market uncertainties.

Stay tuned to INDEX.cy for further updates on this evolving case and its impact on Cyprus’s property and investment landscape.