Cyprus Court of Appeal Increases Drug Sentence to 12 Years

The Cyprus Court of Appeal has increased a prison sentence to 12 years in a drug importation and possession case, following an appeal by the Prosecuting Authority. The initial sentence, imposed by the Paphos Criminal Court, was 9 years.

The Court of Appeal's decision was unanimous, with Eirini Savva representing the Prosecuting Authority. The appeal argued that the initial sentence was insufficient.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the initial court did not adequately consider the need for strict penalties in drug cases. The original decision was modified, increasing the concurrent prison sentences from 9 to 12 years for each charge.

The defendant had been found guilty of importing and possessing 8 kilograms and 154.9 grams of cannabis. The Court of Appeal took into account the defendant's clean criminal record but emphasized the need for deterrent sentences in such cases.