Father charged after two children found dead in Xylofagou
A 30-year-old Bulgarian man has been charged with two counts of causing death through a reckless and negligent act following the discovery of his two sons, aged 8 and 10, dead in a locked car in Xylofagou. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 28, 2026, within the British Sovereign Base Areas. The man appeared at the Dhekelia Court on Thursday and will remain in custody until his next hearing on July 16. Prosecution authorities allege that the father left for work early in the morning and, upon finishing, visited another location to purchase alcohol instead of returning home, suggesting the tragedy might have been avoided had he returned sooner. The defense lawyer, Adriana Klaidi, disputes these claims, asserting that the children were being checked on by an uncle and that the father is suffering immensely. The man’s 38-year-old partner, initially arrested, was released unconditionally on Wednesday. Investigations are ongoing, with officials analyzing CCTV footage and awaiting medical findings to determine the precise cause of death. The Cypriot government has offered to cover the costs of repatriating the boys' bodies to Bulgaria.