teen suicide — teen suicide — The trial surrounding the tragic suicide of 15-year-old Stylianos in Kotsiatis in 2019 has begun, with police officers detailing how reports of domestic violence involving his family were handled.
On Wednesday, two officers from the Pera Chorio Nisou police station provided testimony in a Cyprus court as part of the proceedings against 11 individuals charged in connection with Stylianos’s death. Prosecutor Elena Constantinou called the officers as the first witnesses, revealing the history of domestic violence reports made by Stylianos’s mother.
Teen suicide: Early Reports Ignored
The first officer, a sergeant, recounted a visit from Stylianos’s mother on 19 December 2007, when she reported domestic abuse. Despite indicating that her husband had assaulted her, she did not wish to press charges. The sergeant noted that he followed protocol by notifying a social worker and opening a file, but the case ultimately went nowhere, as the mother’s reluctance to pursue prosecution limited the police’s actions.
“Obviously because the mother said she did not want him prosecuted,” the sergeant stated when questioned about the lack of further action. He described how he had given a stern warning to the father, who promised to cease the abusive behaviour. However, this file was destroyed five years later.
Another Visit and No Action Taken
PC Pavlos Pavlou, the second officer to testify, recalled a separate incident in May 2010 when Stylianos’s mother returned to the station to report poor living conditions and express her desire to separate from her husband. She had contacted Social Welfare Services prior to this visit but refused to file a formal complaint.
Pavlou indicated that the mother may have been seeking support rather than pursuing legal action, noting, “She made a report and asked police to record it, apparently so as not to abandon the marital home.” He advised her to consult a lawyer, but saw no visible signs of abuse to warrant further police intervention.
Proceedings and Plea Changes
The courtroom atmosphere shifted when defence lawyers objected to certain testimonies on relevance grounds. Judge Pavlos Agapitos permitted the evidence, stating its significance would be evaluated later in the trial. The sessions were temporarily halted as one lawyer had to leave for a prior obligation. Future hearings are scheduled for 6, 17, and 27 March.
Among the 11 accused, two have altered their pleas. A former Social Welfare Services officer admitted guilt to several charges, while another defendant is also considering changing their plea. The charges against the group include various forms of neglect and failure to report violence against a minor, which could result in significant penalties under the Domestic Violence Law.
The Broader Implications
The indictment highlights several individuals, particularly Stylianos’s parents, with the father facing serious allegations of physical and psychological violence. The mother is charged with failing to report violence against a minor, a serious accusation under the law designed to protect vulnerable individuals.
Social Welfare Services personnel are noted in the indictment for neglecting their duties over the years leading up to Stylianos’s death. This case has drawn attention not only to the events surrounding Stylianos’s tragic end but also to the systemic failures that allowed the violence to persist unchallenged.
