LARNACA businessman Antonis Fanieros was yesterday let free on the advice of the Attorney-general’s office after three prosecution witnesses retracted their testimonies on the first day of his trial.
Police chief Michalis Papageorgiou called the development “a failure of the system”.
Fanieros, 67, was arrested during a police raid on September 23 and formally charged on October 10.
Three others were also facing charges: Costantinos Hadjiantonis, Andreas Charalambous and Neophytos Moleskis. All but the latter were held in custody until trial facing 28 charges including arson, participation in a criminal organisation and extortion allegedly committed between 2010 and 2011.
On the first day of the trial on Monday three prosecution witnesses withdrew their testimonies with the prosecution declaring them hostile.
A fourth witness was in the north and did not attend.
Two of the witnesses said they had given their testimonies under police duress while a third said he had only testified against Fanieros so the police would withdraw two pending cases against him.
The state prosecutor asked for a postponement on Monday to consult with the Attorney-general’s office on how to proceed.
Yesterday morning, the Attorney-general sent a letter to court informing that there were not enough testimonies to proceed with criminal charges against any of the four suspects.
Papageorgiou was asked during a police news conference whether the police considered this a failure for the force.
“No, I wouldn’t say the police failed. It is a failure of the system. And why? We got testimonies. What the system accomplished is the people testifying eventually recanting and not giving a testimony before court,” Papageorgiou said.
He added that it was “no secret that for this case we have suggested criminal and disciplinary measures against three lawyers” who may have influenced witnesses through their actions.
Papageorgiou said the Attorney-general instructed disciplinary and criminal action against one and they were waiting to hear on the other two.
Fanieros’ arrest was a high profile case with the police chief even briefing political parties about the operation in a bid to secure their backing.
Following his arrest, the police issued a public call for people to come forward and testify against Fanieros.
“Now is the time and the golden opportunity,” former police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos had said.
Fanieros’ son, Loucas, spoke of a police “conspiracy” while daily newspaper Politis published an alleged letter to President Demetris Christofias by Fanieros accusing the police of trying to frame him.
Fanieros was previously targeted by the police in November 2010 as part of an anti-gambling raid.
Having survived an attempt against his life in 1997, Fanieros was jailed in 2001 for five years in connection with a share scam.
