Xylophagou, Cyprus. The father and stepmother of two boys found dead in a car on Sunday in Xylophagou were remanded for three days on Monday pending investigations into the circumstances of their death. Police had requested four-day remand orders, but the British bases court issued three-day remands with the possibility of renewal if necessary.
Court remand decision
The remand orders were issued after the judge said the suspects could move outside the British bases or flee to the occupied north. Police have until Thursday at midday to complete their investigations.
Children found unconscious in vehicle
The two boys, aged eight and 10, are believed to have been playing when they locked themselves in the vehicle. They appear to have suffocated and sustained burns from exposure to the sun.
Arrests and emergency response
The father and stepmother, aged 30 and 38 respectively, were at work at the time the children died and were arrested by the British bases police on suspicion of negligence.
The bases police were notified by a civilian that two children appeared to be unconscious in a vehicle. Rescue crews broke the car windows to reach the children, who were then taken by ambulance to hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths.
Community information
According to Reporter, Xylophagou community leader Giorgos Ioulianos said the children had arrived on the island to visit their parents, who are working in Cyprus.
