police chief — The legal service has firmly rejected allegations that police chief Themistos Arnaoutis and fellow officers evaded prosecution in the tragic Stylianou case due to supposed public interest concerns. They assert that the decision to not prosecute was based on a lack of sufficient evidence to prove criminal offences.
In a statement released on Friday, the legal service called the claims “baseless, incorrect and unfounded.” This clarification came after independent investigators revealed in court that they had recommended charges against 15 police officers, including Arnaoutis, due to their failures in handling domestic violence complaints leading up to the suicide of 14-year-old Stylianos Constantinou.
The legal service emphasised that the decision not to prosecute was not influenced by public interest, noting that the issue was never considered in their evaluation. “Procedurally, in order for the issue of not prosecuting for reasons of public interest to be examined, the establishment of the commission of an offence must first be satisfied,” they stated. “In the present case, the first stage was not satisfied.”
This clarification follows testimony in Nicosia district court that independent investigators, Andreas Andreou and Modestos Poyiadjis, had submitted recommendations for criminal prosecutions in December 2020 against multiple officers who had dealt with complaints made by Stylianos’ mother from 2007 to 2013. Allegations included domestic violence, threats, and assaults from Stylianos’ father.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that although many complaints were recorded, they were often closed without thorough investigation, despite domestic violence protocols requiring officers to act even if complainants chose not to pursue cases.
Andreu testified that recommendations had been made for prosecutions involving 15 officers overall; however, the attorney-general’s office only proceeded with charges against one police sergeant. Among those named was Arnaoutis, who was in charge of the Pera Chorio police station during the relevant period.
Evidence presented in court indicated that various incidents from 2013, involving complaints of violence or threats, had been closed without any criminal investigation or proper completion of domestic violence procedures.
The legal service also clarified that the submission of investigative findings by police or criminal investigators does not automatically mean that these recommendations are validated formally. It was noted that Arnaoutis had chaired the police disciplinary committee from 2020 to 2022 while recommendations regarding his conduct were still pending with the legal service.
Lawyer Simos Angelides has been vocal in demanding accountability from attorney-general George Savvides and deputy attorney general Savvas Angelides, requesting a public explanation for the lack of prosecutions despite the independent investigators’ recommendations. He has described this matter as critical for public accountability.
During court proceedings, the focus also shifted to whether police officers adhered to the domestic violence regulations in place at the time. These regulations mandated that investigations be initiated regardless of a complainant’s willingness to pursue the case.
Documentation presented in court revealed that investigators scrutinised police circulars which required officers to fill out official domestic violence forms, report to welfare authorities, and continue investigations even if complaints were retracted.
As the case continues to unfold before the courts, the legal service has stated they will refrain from making further comments, citing respect for the judicial process and the presumption of innocence for those accused.
Stylianos was tragically found dead at his family farm in September 2019. Criminal proceedings against his father, mother, and several welfare officers remain ongoing in connection with this heartbreaking case.
