IN THE trial for the murder of former Sigma boss Andis Hadjicostis, the Criminal Court yesterday rejected a motion for the disclosure of specific phone communications, despite the defence’s claim that the data would exonerate one of the defendants and cause the prosecution’s case to unravel.
On trial are for the murder are former media presenter Elena Skordelli, her brother Tasos Krasopoulis, Andreas Gregoriou, and Grigoris Xenofontos.
Fanos Hadjigeorgiou, who has confessed to driving the getaway motorbike on the night of the murder, has received immunity from prosecution and turned state’s witness.
The prosecution’s case rests on the premise that the four defendants conspired, planned and carried out the assassination of Hadjicostis. The murder was allegedly masterminded by Skordelli, said to have been seeking a controlling interest in Sigma, to which the victim was opposed.
But according to the defence, the murder was planned and executed by Hadjigeorgiou in collaboration with another man who had been initially arrested but later released.
Previously in court, Hadjigeorgiou’s live-in girlfriend testified that he was at home with her at the time of the murder. She said also that Hadjigeorgiou had received a call from Xenofontos at 9pm on the night of the murder, and that she and her boyfriend were both at home when the call was made.
The defence maintains no such call was made, and wants records for two phones, those of Xenofontos and Hadjigeorgiou, to be submitted as evidence in court. This would expose Hadjigeorgiou as a liar and also exonerate Xenofontos from any implication in the murder.
The court turned down the request yesterday, citing a prior interim ruling on the matter.
The defence however said it would get prepare for the court a number of legal questions concerning the confidentiality of telecommunications data, and asked for a one-day adjournment. The court granted the motion.
Also in court yesterday, the defence quizzed prosecution witness, the CID officer in charge of gathering and storing court evidence.
Under cross-examination, officer Demetris Christou was asked why subsequent to the murder the police seized and searched Xenofontos’ car without a warrant.
Christou replied that Xenofontos was a wanted man at the time (he was abroad), and that the police had secured a written approval from Xenofontos’ stepfather before searching the car.
The trial continues.
