Cyprus Times

Thanasis Case: Lawyer Claims Threats to Life – Defense Claims Falsehood

Published March 13, 2026, 17:06
Thanasis Case: Lawyer Claims Threats to Life – Defense Claims Falsehood

The judicial process in the Thanasis Nikolaou case continued with the examination of preliminary objections. Lawyer Savvas Matsas, who withdrew from the family's defense, stated that he was withdrawing due to threats to his life, which the defense characterized as false, claiming it was an attempt to deceive the court. Mr. Matsas presented a police document reporting threats, while the defense accused Mr. Matsas of making a false statement and requested an investigation for potential contempt of court. The new lawyer for the Nikolaou family requested that the defendants be charged first and then the preliminary objections be examined. The court insisted on continuing the process and set a new date for the completion of the preliminary objections on March 19th.