stylianou suicide — Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis is under fire as questions arise regarding the handling of the Stylianou suicide case. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old Stylianos Constantinou has brought to light concerns over police conduct and accountability.
On Wednesday, lawyer Simos Angelides urged both attorney-general George Savvides and deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides to clarify why no criminal prosecutions were pursued against senior police officers implicated in independent findings. These findings stem from a probe initiated by then-attorney general Costas Clerides in 2019, following the tragic suicide of Stylianos.
The case highlights repeated complaints of alleged domestic violence made by Stylianos’ mother to authorities between 2007 and 2013, during which time Arnaoutis served as the station commander in Pera Chorio—a village where many complaints were filed.
Independent criminal investigators Andreas Andreou and Modestos Pogiadjis concluded that there were grounds for criminal prosecution against 15 police officers and disciplinary action against 35 others. However, the attorney-general’s office ultimately prosecuted only one officer, a sergeant, leaving many unanswered questions about the handling of the case.
Angelides emphasised the importance of public accountability and the need for transparency, stating, “We are monitoring and are not rushing to draw conclusions, but I must stress for the public interest we are entitled to immediate information and full justification of such action.” This sentiment reflects growing frustration regarding the legal service’s decision not to act on the recommendations of independent investigators.
During the ongoing court proceedings, investigators revealed that between January 2012 and June 2013, when Arnaoutis was in charge at the Pera Chorio police station, multiple domestic violence complaints were made by Stylianos’ mother. One complaint from February 2013 detailed aggressive behaviour from her husband following an argument. Officers responded but closed the case without pursuing a criminal investigation.
A subsequent complaint in March 2013 described an incident where Stylianos’ mother was physically assaulted by her husband. Despite her reluctance to provide a written statement, investigators later concluded that police should have initiated an investigation under domestic violence procedures. The failures in these investigations have raised serious concerns among the public and legal experts.
Moreover, a third incident in May 2013 involved the temporary disappearance of Stylianos after an argument with his father. Police and emergency services conducted a search but closed the case without further action, again neglecting to follow proper protocols for domestic violence situations.
Testimony revealed that police officers failed to adhere to circulars governing domestic violence cases, which required investigations to proceed regardless of a complainant’s willingness to cooperate. The lack of adherence to these guidelines has led to accusations of neglect of duty against Arnaoutis and other officers involved.
In his defence, Arnaoutis stated that he had issued clear instructions for investigations during his time as station commander and highlighted a conviction against Stylianos’ father stemming from a separate case of abuse. However, critics argue that his response does not absolve him or his officers from the failures that occurred in this tragic case.
The scrutiny of Arnaoutis intensified further when it was revealed that he served as chairman of the police disciplinary committee while recommendations for disciplinary action against him were under review. The dual roles have raised ethical questions about his leadership and accountability.
As the case continues to unfold in court, the implications extend beyond the individuals involved, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in handling domestic violence cases. Angelides has called for clarity on the prosecutorial decisions made, asserting that significant actions require thorough justification.
Charges have been filed against multiple individuals in connection to the case, including Stylianos’ father and mother, as well as seven social welfare officers accused of neglecting their official duties. The ongoing legal proceedings have further highlighted the complexities surrounding accountability in cases of domestic violence and the systemic failures that can lead to tragic outcomes.
