Criminal negligence investigation involving Cyprus Police Chief Stylianos case

During a Nicosia District Court hearing regarding the 2019 death of 15-year-old Stylianos Constantinou, testimonies revealed that the current Police Chief, Themistos Arnaoutis, was investigated for criminal negligence. Independent investigators Andreas Andreou and Modestos Poyiatzis had proposed in 2020 that Arnaoutis face charges under Article 134 of the Penal Code for neglect of duty while serving as the station commander in Pera Chorio. The allegations stem from his failure to act on domestic violence reports filed by the victim's mother in March 2013, despite existing police circulars mandating investigation. Investigator Andreas Andreou testified that while recommendations for criminal charges were made against multiple police officers, instructions from the Attorney General led to the prosecution of only one individual. Arnaoutis is currently the subject of separate ongoing judicial proceedings related to this case. The hearings continue as the court evaluates the actions of both the Police and the Social Welfare Services.