Investigation into police conduct regarding the 2019 suicide of teenager Stylianos Constantinou

Court proceedings in Cyprus have revealed that current Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis was investigated for a potential criminal offence related to the 2019 suicide of 15-year-old Stylianos Constantinou. Independent investigators Andreas Andreou and Modestos Pogiatzis recommended the prosecution of 15 police officers, including Arnaoutis, for failures to handle domestic violence complaints filed by the teenager's mother between 2007 and 2013. Documentation indicates that while Arnaoutis served as commander of the Pera Chorion station from 2012 to 2013, he declined to answer 31 out of 32 questions during a 2020 deposition. Investigators concluded there were grounds to charge Arnaoutis with neglect of duty under article 134 of the criminal code regarding a March 2013 complaint. Evidence presented in court showed that at least 19 out of 21 recorded reports were closed without investigation or escalation, despite clear protocols requiring action. While investigators recommended charges against 15 officers, the Attorney General's office reportedly proceeded with charges against only one officer in 2021. The hearing aims to examine systemic failures in police oversight and the subsequent administrative and criminal handling of the case.