Nicosia, Cyprus. A key prosecution witness told a court on Tuesday that the case of teenager Stylianos Constantinou, who died by suicide in September 2019, should have been classified as high-risk by the social welfare services. The witness said the boy’s suicide attempt in May 2019 was a clear sign of a serious problem requiring immediate intervention.
Court hears testimony from key prosecution witness
Andreas Andreou, a key prosecution witness, was cross-examined by lawyers for the defendants, who were employees of the social welfare services at the relevant time.
Andreou was one of two criminal investigators appointed to examine the suicide.
Case examines abuse, neglect and official response
The case centers on whether the teenager suffered domestic abuse or neglect, whether his mother knew of such incidents but did not report them, and whether social workers fulfilled their duties adequately.
Focus on May 2019 suicide attempt
Tuesday’s hearing returned to the May 2019 incident in which the 14-year-old attempted to take his own life, four months before his death.
Andreou was questioned by the lawyer representing defendant number 9, the case worker assigned to Stylianos’ file after she began working at the social welfare services in November 2018.
Witness rejects training defence
The defence lawyer argued that the defendant lacked adequate training. In response, Andreou said all social workers are required to comply with the department’s rules and regulations.
Asked whether the social welfare services should have designated Stylianos’ case as high-risk, Andreou said yes.
He said the May 2019 suicide attempt was a crucial incident.
“It was a clear sign that a serious problem existed requiring immediate intervention,” he said.
