Appeal court remands man facing domestic violence charges

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Court of Appeal has remanded in custody a man facing 11 charges linked to alleged domestic violence offences, overturning a Nicosia district court decision that had released him under restrictive conditions.

The unanimous ruling on Friday upheld an appeal by attorney-general George Savvides. The man is due to appear before the Nicosia district court on Monday.

Charges and initial hearing

The man faces charges relating to domestic violence, violence against women, harassment and causing actual bodily harm, most of them concerning his partner. He also faces one charge of malicious damage to her mother’s home.

At the initial hearing on September 3, prosecutors requested his detention, citing the risk that he could flee or commit further offences. They referred to the complainant’s declining health, including her use of medication for anxiety.

The prosecution also highlighted the defendant’s record, including a pending case involving child sexual abuse and the distribution of pornographic material.

Appeal court ruling

The district court had rejected the detention request after considering sworn statements in which the complainant withdrew her complaint.

The Court of Appeal quashed that decision, finding that the risk of reoffending was clear because the alleged new offences were committed while the man was subject to restrictive conditions in other pending cases, including the child abuse case.

It said the withdrawal of the complaint did not affect the assessment of the risk of reoffending, as crime prevention is based on the overall evidence and the defendant’s history rather than a victim’s willingness to testify.

Having found a risk of further offending, the court said it was unnecessary to examine flight risk separately and ordered the man remanded in custody.