Nicosia, Cyprus. The Nicosia district court will deliver sentencing on May 15 for two of 11 defendants charged with dereliction of duty in a trial linked to the September 2019 suicide of 14-year-old Stylianos Constantinou.
Guilty pleas and sentencing timetable
The two defendants, the fifth and seventh in the case, changed their pleas to guilty. A social services officer admitted to three charges, and a welfare services officer admitted to one.
Proceedings will resume at 11am on May 15, while sentencing for the two defendants will be delivered at 9.30am by Judge Maria Stylianou.
Court rejects objection on multiple indictments
During Thursday’s proceedings, the court rejected an objection by one of the defendants regarding multiple indictments.
Defence lawyer Constantinos Nicolaides argued that eight charges against the fourth defendant related to neglect of duty and were repetitive, differing only in the time periods during which the alleged offences took place. He also said the number of indictments created “confusion” and deprived his client of an effective and fair trial.
Prosecutor Eleni Constantinou said the matter was procedural and that the charges would simply be read out. Judge Pavlos Agapitos dismissed the objection, ruling that multiple charges for the same offence do not invalidate proceedings when they relate to separate incidents.
Trial continues with investigator testimony
Following the interim ruling, the trial continued with the cross-examination of criminal investigator Andreas Andreou, who had been appointed on January 10, 2020.
Case background
The case centres on Stylianos’ suicide in September 2019, which prompted an investigation into alleged abuse within the family and possible institutional failures.
What will the court decide on May 15 regarding the remaining defendants in the case?