Nicosia court hears testimony regarding tragic death of schoolboy Stylianos Constantinou

A prosecution witness testified this week at the Nicosia District Court regarding the life and neglect of Stylianos Constantinou, a 14-year-old boy who died by suicide. The teacher, who taught the boy during his second and third years of primary school, described the child as a "saintly recluse" who struggled with learning challenges and poverty. The witness detailed the boy’s poor personal hygiene, dirty clothing, and social isolation, noting that school staff attempted to assist him with basic self-care and integration.

The proceedings focused on failures within the Social Welfare Services, specifically addressing a delayed investigation into physical abuse. The teacher reported that after finding marks on the boy’s body that were attributed to his father, the responsible welfare officer did not visit the school until ten days later, by which time the visible evidence had disappeared. The witness expressed frustration over this delay during cross-examination by defense attorney Victor Akamas, who questioned whether school staff followed proper protocols for reporting violent incidents. The court continues to examine the systemic response to the boy's living conditions and the subsequent failure to protect him.