Court testimony on the 2019 death of 14-year-old Stylianos

Criminal investigator Andreas Andreou testified on Monday at the Nicosia District Court regarding the 2019 suicide of 14-year-old Stylianos. Andreou stated his professional assessment that the Social Welfare Services (SWS) should have placed the child under their care to ensure his protection. During cross-examination by Victor Akamas, the lawyer for an SWS official, the witness was questioned on established protocols. It was noted that, according to a 2020 investigation, staff aware of domestic violence were required to report it to the police and their superiors. Andreou confirmed that no medical evidence of physical abuse was collected during the investigation. However, he acknowledged reports from the school that the minor appeared with marks, claiming he had been beaten with a belt. The boy had also reportedly told others that his father abused him frequently. The hearing continues to examine the procedural handling of the case by the SWS department.