Xylofagou, Cyprus. The senior judge of the Sovereign Base Areas court reserved a decision on Friday on a bail application by a father charged over the deaths of his two young sons, who is seeking temporary release to travel to Bulgaria for their funerals.
The court concluded a second day of legal submissions without an immediate ruling. The judge said the decision would be delivered in writing to the prosecution and defence within the next few days.
Bail application
The application, filed by defence lawyer Christos Theodoulou, seeks permission for the accused to attend the funerals of his children, aged eight and 10, in Bulgaria and to be released on bail pending trial.
The defence argued during the hearing on July 30 that the accused did not pose a flight risk. It said concerns about his return to Cyprus could be addressed through cooperation between the SBA administration, the Republic of Cyprus and Bulgarian authorities.
Prosecution position
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that there was no legal mechanism to ensure the defendant’s return if he left the jurisdiction. It also questioned whether any bail conditions could be enforced outside the SBA.
Charges and hearings
The father faces two counts of causing death by a rash, reckless or negligent act after his sons were found dead inside a parked vehicle in Xylofagou in June.
He remains in custody pending the court’s decision. A plea hearing is scheduled for September 22, while a trial is due to begin on November 30 if he pleads not guilty.
