The appeal filed by the 30-year-old father of the two children who were killed in a car accident in Xylofagou last June, who had requested to be released pending trial; the British Bases Court upheld its decision, citing a legal loophole between the Republic of Cyprus and the British Bases.
In a written statement, the father’s attorney, Mr. Theodoulou, notes that “Today, the Court of the Senior Judge of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia rejected our client’s appeal against the decision denying bail. Our client remains in custody until his trial, which is scheduled for November 30, 2026. We fully respect the Court’s decision.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The decision, as stated, “was not based on any conduct on the part of our client. Our client has no criminal record and has cooperated fully with the authorities from the very beginning. The decision was based on a legal loophole. According to the testimony accepted by the Court, an arrest warrant issued by the Bases is not enforceable on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Furthermore, the Republic has not enacted legislation regarding the return of individuals to the Bases, while the Bases have corresponding legislation to the contrary. In fact, testimony was presented that more than 1,300 arrest warrants are pending.”
This gap, he continues, “does not concern only our client. It concerns every person charged before the Bases’ courts. His right to bail is effectively restricted by the absence of a statutory framework on the part of the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the aforementioned decision.”
“As stated,” he adds, “because this is a matter of public interest, we are examining our legal options against the Republic of Cyprus for this omission.”
In conclusion, he notes that, “we will not comment on the merits of the case, which is pending before the Court. We express once again the family’s deep sorrow over the loss of the two children.”
