Rape case against Phedonos registered at Limassol court

Suspended Paphos mayor, Phedonas Phedonos, will face the first court proceedings on April 2 at the Limassol district court in criminal case involving allegations of rape.

The case, relating to incidents said to have occurred in Paphos, was transferred to Limassol because authorities determined that a trial in the local district might compromise impartiality.

The registry office confirmed that April 2 will mark Phedonos’ first appearance, during which he will be served with the indictment and the referral process to the criminal court will take place.

The indictment reportedly contains four felony charges, including rape, sexual assault and drugging/sedating a person with intent to commit a crime.

Police investigations have drawn on statements from more than ten witnesses, along with a detailed account provided by the alleged victim.

Phedonos himself gave a lengthy statement to investigators approximately one month ago, accompanied by his lawyers.

Authorities have examined all supporting evidence, including medical documentation and witness testimony, before forwarding the case to the legal service.

The legal service then issued instructions for prosecution after completing its evaluation, signalling the formal start of criminal proceedings.

The case first resurfaced earlier this year following accusations by Paphos-based businessman Theodoros Aristodemou, a land developer with prior legal disputes with the Paphos municipality, who alleged that Phedonos had committed the offences around 2014.

The completed case file was evaluated by the legal service, which authorised prosecution based on the gathered evidence.

Police officials confirmed that the procedural steps followed the prescribed legal framework and ensured that all investigative findings were considered before referral to court.

Complicating the public narrative, social media claims have emerged regarding alleged domestic abuse by Phedonos against his wife, Louiza Andreou, in 2017.

Influencer Ioanna Photiou, known online as Annie Alexui, published documents said to originate from Nicosia general hospital’s accident and emergency unit.

These documents reportedly list injuries, including a skull injury, and describe a “reported beating by spouse.”

X-ray images included in the media coverage were claimed to corroborate the alleged abuse.

Authorities have since taken receipt of these materials and are reviewing them as part of the ongoing investigations.

Andreou has publicly rejected the allegations and defended her husband.

In a statement posted on social media, she said her family was facing a “coordinated attack” and asserted that Phaedonos is “a wonderful man, decent and honest.”

She further added that she had “lived harmoniously with her husband for 20 years” and expressed pride in the way he has handled the allegations.

Phedonos has consistently described the allegations as politically motivated and part of a wider attempt to tarnish his reputation.

He characterised the claims as an “orchestrated attack” and labelled the accusations as a “political assassination.”

His legal team has repeatedly emphasised that the case is under investigation and that all procedural safeguards must be observed to ensure a fair trial.