Louiza Zannetou Acquitted in Alcohol Test Sample Case

Legislation Commissioner Louiza Zannetou has been acquitted of failing to provide an adequate sample during an alcohol test on 11/1/2014. District Judge Georgia Karamalli ruled that Ms. Zannetou had successfully refuted the burden of proof by adequately linking medical reasons to her inability to provide a satisfactory breath sample.

The case went to trial due to the Commissioner's denial of the charge. The initial test showed 40mg% instead of 22mg%. Three prosecution witnesses and two defense witnesses testified, including Assistant Chief of Police, Giannakis Georgiou.

The Judge stated that she was not satisfied that the failure to provide a satisfactory sample was due to the defendant's actions, but rather to the manner in which the police officer acted during the test. Particular reference was made to the fact that the police officer repeatedly pulled the device back, which was not appropriate.

The Judge deemed pulmonologist Dr. Michalis Michael, who testified that Ms. Zannetou suffers from chronic bronchial asthma, to be credible. The police officer admitted that Ms. Zannetou begged him to allow her to try again.

Assistant Chief of Police Giannakis Georgiou acknowledged that the publicity affected the case.