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One of Cyprus' most closely watched criminal investigations has hit a major legal setback after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the attorney general, ruling that police did not have enough evidence to justify searching two bank safety deposit boxes belonging to jeweler Natalie Tziapoura.
The decision is the latest twist in the high-profile investigation that first made headlines last year when police launched a sweeping probe into alleged organized crime centered on Giorgos Christodoulou, also known as "Zavrantonas." As part of that investigation, authorities carried out searches at several locations linked to the case, including safety deposit boxes held by Tziapoura at a Bank of Cyprus branch in Nicosia.
Now, Cyprus' highest court has ruled that the search warrant for those vaults should never have been issued in the first place.
Police relied on "general information"
In its judgment, dated 17 July 2026, the Supreme Court found that the affidavit submitted by police failed to provide enough concrete facts for the District Court to independently decide whether there were reasonable grounds for the search.
Instead, judges said investigators relied largely on general information and conclusions rather than presenting evidence that could be independently assessed.
Police had argued that intelligence from a source they considered reliable suggested that financial systems linked to businesses owned by Tziapoura, including a jewelry store and a beauty salon, had been used in suspicious ways and that the beauty salon was reporting what investigators described as "unjustified excess profits."
But the Supreme Court ruled that simply referring to intelligence was not enough.
While investigators are not required to reveal the identity of confidential informants, the court said they must still explain how the information was obtained and why it supports the conclusions being drawn.
"Evidence must be provided, not just conclusions or assumptions," the judgment said.
Warrant went too far
The court also found that the search warrant itself exceeded what police had asked the court to approve.
According to the ruling, the information presented suggested investigators were looking for cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
However, the warrant that was eventually issued also authorized officers to seize jewelry and other valuables, something the Supreme Court said was not supported by the evidence placed before the District Court.
Judges also found there was no sufficient evidential link connecting Tziapoura to the offenses under investigation that would justify searching her bank vaults.
Attorney General loses appeal
The attorney general had argued that earlier searches carried out during the investigation had supported police suspicions.
The Supreme Court disagreed, saying those previous searches could not be relied upon because the affidavit failed to explain whether they were based on the same evidence or what information had been presented when those warrants were issued.
As a result, the court dismissed the attorney general's appeal and upheld the earlier decision cancelling the search warrant.
The state was also ordered to pay €3,000 plus VAT in legal costs.
A case that has drawn national attention
The ruling marks a significant legal victory for Tziapoura in a case that has attracted widespread public attention since police launched their investigation into an alleged organized crime network linked to Giorgos Christodoulou ("Zavrantonas").
While the Supreme Court's decision does not determine whether any criminal offenses were committed, it sends a clear message that investigators must present solid, verifiable evidence before being allowed to search private property, particularly bank safety deposit boxes, which carry strong legal protections.
The broader criminal investigation remains ongoing, but Thursday's judgment represents one of the biggest courtroom setbacks for prosecutors since the case began.
