Paphos councillor to remain on common charge sheet

By Constantinos Psillides

THE Paphos Assize court rejected on Thursday a motion by Paphos municipal councillor Giorgos Shialis, asking to not be included on the same charge sheet as the other former and current municipal councillors on trial in connection with the Paphos Sewerage Board (SAPA) scandal.

Court judge Dora Socratous said that the motion was rejected on the grounds of public interest. She explained that excluding Shailis from the charge sheet would result in fragmenting the trial proceedings.

Shailis’ defence lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou will appeal the decision, arguing that it violates his client rights.

Following the Assize court decision, Shailis is expected to appear before the court on April 20, alongside the other municipal councillors.

Former DISY municipal councillor Giorgos Michaelides, former DIKO councillor Efstathios Efstathiou, former AKEL councillor Vasos Vasiliou and current municipal councillor Shailis face a total of 42 charges, including corruption and abuse of authority.

The high-profile scandal has so far seen the downfall of former Paphos mayor Savvas Vergas and the head of SAPA Eftychios Malekkides.

Vergas and Malekkides, have been jailed for six years after they pleaded guilty to bribery and money laundering, offences committed during the construction of the town’s sewerage system.

The offences took place between 1999 and 2014.

Vergas and Malekkides are expected to testify as prosecution witnesses.

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