Prosecution calls for military witness to be heard in camera
By Charlie Charalambous
THE TRIAL of two Israelis suspected of spying was adjourned in Larnaca yesterday after the prosecution asked for the testimony of its first witness to be presented behind closed doors.
Prosecution lawyer George Papaioannou told the Assize court that he wanted “sensitive evidence” to be given by National Guard officer Vassos Kountouris to be kept out of the public domain.
“If this testimony is made public it could endanger the security of the state,” Papaioannou told the court yesterday.
It is understood that Kountouris, a member of the army General Command, will testify on the significance of the map markings found in the possession of the two Israelis.
The prosecution has submitted as evidence eight maps of Cyprus. They are among 23 exhibits, which were discovered at the Zygi holiday flat where suspects Igal Damary, 49, and Udi Hargov, 37, were arrested last November 7.
The prosecution will argue that the map markings made by the suspects related to secret military facilities, of which only the top echelons of the National Guard are aware.
Defence lawyer Andis Triantafyllides said the prosecution’s unusual request had caught him by surprise, and asked the court to give him more time to study the implications.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it and it is an unprecedented step. There was no request at the start to proceed behind closed doors,” Triantafyllides said.
Papaioannou made it clear that he was not requesting that the entire proceedings be held in camera, but just the testimony of a few state witnesses.
Another surprise at yesterday’s hearing was the appearance of the two Israelis, who had undergone a complete image change.
Gone were the scruffy beards, track suit tops, shabby clothes, worry beads and constant chewing of gum.
They were replaced by crisp white shirts, bright ties, matching plaid jackets and shiny shoes, apparently all fresh out of the box.
Damary and Hargov deny charges of spying against Cyprus, conspiracy to commit espionage and possessing illegal listening devices.
Spying charges carry a maximum 10 year jail term.
The hearing was adjourned until Friday morning.
