The trial in the high-profile case concerning Cypriot 'golden' passports has been postponed again. Originally scheduled for Monday, 14 September at the Nicosia District Court, the hearing was postponed at the request of lawyers for both sides. Consequently, a new hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on 19 December 2025.
The defendants and the nature of the charges
There are ten defendants in the case: eight individuals and two legal entities. These include former Minister of Transport Marios Demetriades, Andreas Demetriades, Dimitris Demetriades, Yorgos Demetriades, Eleni Simirlidi, Jing Wang, Josef Friedrich Santin, Vasiliki Georgiou-Santin, Andreas Demetriades & Co LLC and Delsk (Cyprus) Business Services Ltd.
They are charged with bribery, abuse of office, conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, and violation of international obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on the Criminalisation of Corruption. All those involved in the case are presumed innocent until a final court decision is made.
The context of 'golden' passports
It should be noted that the case relates to Cyprus's former "golden passport" programme, which was in effect until 2020. This scheme allowed foreign investors to obtain citizenship in exchange for significant investments in the country's economy. However, it was cancelled in 2020 as a result of journalistic investigations and the ensuing scandal. Legal proceedings were initiated against a number of officials and intermediaries.
According to the European Commission, hundreds of foreign citizens, including individuals with questionable backgrounds, may have been naturalised through this scheme. Brussels has repeatedly expressed concern about the corruption risks posed by such schemes.
Prospects for the trial
It is expected to be one of the most high-profile court cases in modern Cypriot history. The country's authorities are eager to demonstrate their commitment to fighting corruption and restoring confidence in the legal system. Human rights organisations and civil society representatives have stated that they will closely monitor the case, emphasising its importance for the future of transparency and the rule of law on the island.