Eight individuals plead not guilty in Nicosia Central Prison document case

On March 10, 2026, eight defendants appeared before the Nicosia Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to nine charges related to the possession of documents found in a senior prison officer's home. The accused include the former Director of Central Prisons, Anna Aristotelous, the former Deputy Director, Athina Dimitriou, five prison staff members, and one serving police officer who is a former prison staff member. The charges involve conspiracy to commit a felony, theft of state property including 48,432 documents, theft of 370 architectural prison plans, and theft of 431 digital and electronic devices. Anna Aristotelous faces an additional charge of allowing the leakage of classified documents during her tenure. Defense attorneys, with the exception of one, raised concerns regarding the right to a fair trial, citing alleged violations of Article 7 of the Criminal Procedure Law concerning the disclosure of evidence. The court noted that while most evidence has been handed over, classified materials and specific architectural plans remain withheld. The proceedings have been adjourned until March 26, when defense lawyers are scheduled to present their arguments regarding the fair trial issue.