British father faces possible trial after son’s fatal fall at Paphos hotel

Paphos, Cyprus. A British father appeared before Paphos district court on Thursday after the attorney-general rejected a request to suspend his prosecution following the death of his young son in a fall from a hotel.

The response was received on Wednesday afternoon, the day the child would have turned three, according to the father’s lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou.

Request rejected

Alexandrou said the defence submitted the request on August 7, citing humanitarian considerations and the ordeal endured by the family since the child’s death.

A central argument was the need for the family to remain together to grieve and support one another, he said.

In court, a representative of the attorney-general acknowledged the family’s tragedy but said the Legal Service considered that the case should proceed in the public interest.

Next steps

Alexandrou expressed disappointment at the decision, which means the family now faces the possibility of a criminal trial.

The father returned to Cyprus earlier this week with his parents after being allowed to travel to the United Kingdom for his son’s funeral. His travel documents have again been surrendered.

Alexandrou said he would discuss the available options with his client before deciding how to answer the charge.