Decision - milestone for Cypriot Justice

Decision – milestone for Cypriot Justice – Retention of telecommunications data is illegal.

The Supreme Court decided by a majority that the retention and disclosure under a potential law of the Republic of Cyprus regarding telecommunications data of citizens of the Republic of Cyprus is contrary to the European Directives of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the decisions of the European Court of Justice.

The decision in question concerned a number of cases that were before criminal courts.

All the defendants appealed through their lawyers to the Supreme Court.

In essence, the competent authorities will not be able to use citizens’ telecommunications data, since in its decision the Supreme Court indicates that the retention of data by providers is illegal.

For the applicants appeared:

1. DIMITRIOU & DIMITRIOU LLC – Antonis Dimitriou, Christina Christofi, Marinos Kaoullas
2. Elias Stefanou
3. Pelekanos & Pelekanos LLC
4. Victor Akamas
5. Yannis Polychronis