Criminal investigation launched into Cyprus Takata airbag fatalities

One year after the official investigation committee released its report, the Cyprus Police Headquarters has narrowed its criminal probe into the fatal Takata airbag malfunctions. The Legal Service has authorized questioning for three individuals and one legal entity to determine if criminal acts, including manslaughter or death by negligence, occurred regarding the handling of defective vehicle parts. The fatalities under investigation include 24-year-old Kyriakos Oxinos, who died on January 24, 2023, and 19-year-old Styliani Georgalli, who died on October 21, 2024.

The investigation focuses on accountability within the Department of Road Transport (TOM), specifically targeting former directors Sotiris Kolettas and Yiannis Nikolaidis, whom the initial committee criticized for inertia. Conflicting reports surround Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades; while some sources indicate he is under investigation due to prior warnings from the Oxinos family about airbag risks, other official sources claim he has not been summoned and was cleared by the initial inquiry. Minister Vafeades has denied knowledge of the specific allegations and stated he has had no contact with police regarding the matter. The Attorney General will ultimately decide if formal charges will be filed based on the current testimonies and evidence collected by the police.