Court proceedings begin for 30-year-old father in Xylofagou child death case

A 30-year-old Bulgarian national is facing two charges of causing death by reckless or dangerous acts following the death of his two children, aged 8 and 10, in Xylofagou on June 28. During a pre-trial hearing held via video conference on July 16, a senior British judge oversaw the proceedings at the Sovereign Base Areas court. The defendant has appointed a new legal representative, Christos Theodoulou, and is currently seeking permission to travel to Bulgaria for his children's funeral, a request the court will address on July 30. The formal plea hearing is set for September 22, with the trial tentatively scheduled to begin on September 30 if he pleads not guilty. Police reports state that the children were found unresponsive in a vehicle after being left unsupervised, while investigators are reviewing CCTV footage showing the children playing near the car. Sources note conflicting accounts regarding supervision, with the defense previously asserting the children were under the care of relatives while the father was working. The prosecution alleges the father did not return home immediately after his shift, choosing to visit another location instead.