Father of boys found dead in Xylofagou to remain in custody until November 30 trial

Xylofagou, Cyprus. A Bulgarian father whose two sons were discovered dead in a parked vehicle in Xylofagou on June 28 will stay in custody pending his November 30 trial. On Monday, a senior judge in the British bases dismissed his appeal against a decision denying bail.

Charges and detention

The father faces two charges of causing death through a rash, reckless or negligent act. His sons were eight and ten years old.

He has been detained continuously since his arrest following the children’s deaths. Earlier bail requests were turned down because of concerns that he might abscond and that Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) authorities could not enforce bail conditions beyond their jurisdiction.

His lawyers said he had cooperated fully with authorities from the beginning and had no previous criminal record.

Defence cites gap in warrant enforcement

The father’s lawyer, Christos Th. Theodoulou, said the latest ruling concerned what the defence described as a gap in the legal arrangements between the SBA and the Republic of Cyprus, rather than the father’s behaviour.

According to the defence, the court accepted evidence showing that warrants issued by the British bases could not be enforced within territory under the Republic of Cyprus’s control. Evidence heard during the proceedings indicated that over 1,300 warrants for arrest were still outstanding.

The lawyers said legislation in the Bases permits people to be returned to the Republic, but Cyprus has not enacted corresponding provisions enabling their return to the Bases.

Possible action against the Republic

The defence argued that the legislative gap could affect anyone facing prosecution in SBA courts, not just their client, effectively limiting access to bail.

The lawyers said they were considering bringing legal action against the Republic of Cyprus for failing to put the required legislative framework in place.