Investigative authorities are obligated to summon the woman known as “Santi” for a statement if she is in Cyprus, and she has a duty to respond, according to lawyer Elias Stefanou.
Speaking to philenews regarding the serious allegations made by Makarios Drousiotis involving paedophilia, foreclosures, surveillance, and rigged trials, Stefanou underlined that the woman must decide whether or not to provide a statement upon being called.
Stefanou noted that given recent revelations, it is essential for police to summon her immediately. He said this would help address safety concerns raised by her lawyer and allow investigators to evaluate her testimony or position. He further suggested that her lawyer, Nikos Clerides, should also be summoned to clarify what he knew, when he knew it, and in what form he received the information.
“All allegations must be examined wherever there is a possibility of linking them to other testimony, or confirming or rejecting them with forensic evidence,” Stefanou added.
Admissibility of screenshots
Regarding the screenshots published or held by Drousiotis, Stefanou clarified that while trials should not be conducted through the media, their use as evidence depends on the specific facts of the case.
“For example, if two people speak via message and accept their communication, then the testimony is admissible,” he explained.
Conversely, if a suspect denies the communication and claims it is not genuine, Stefanou noted that issues of personal data or illegally obtained evidence do not arise, as the suspect is not claiming the communication as their own.
“If someone accepts the communication, they can then claim that this testimony was obtained illegally or violates their personal data. That is why every piece of evidence is examined primarily for its authenticity and subsequently for its legality. There is a need to prove authenticity first and then whether or not this testimony was obtained legally.”
According to Stefanou, this logic addresses questions regarding personal data; a person who denies the authenticity and existence of messages cannot simultaneously claim they violate their privacy.