The trial regarding the circumstances of the death of 14-year-old Stylianos Konstantinou was postponed today due to the court’s unavailability; the hearing in the case concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old Stylianos Konstantinou, who took his own life in September 2019.

During today’s hearing before the Nicosia District Court, the main examination of the prosecution witness S.K. was scheduled to continue; who served as a liaison officer for Stylianou’s case during the period 2010–2011, as called by the prosecution.

However, the proceedings were adjourned, and the Court scheduled their resumption for tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

When the proceedings resume, the prosecution is expected to complete its direct examination of the witness, followed by cross-examination by the defendants’ defense attorneys.

The case concerns the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old Stylianos Konstantinou, with the Court examining potential liability both within the family and on the part of state agencies.

At the center of the proceedings are, among other things, allegations of abuse or neglect within the family, whether the mother was aware of such incidents without reporting them, as well as whether the relevant Social Welfare Services officials adequately assessed and handled the information before them.

It should be noted that during her testimony yesterday, the witness stated that as early as 2010 there were “many red flags” which, she said, should have prompted the relevant agencies to take action.

She referred to information she had received regarding serious child neglect, incidents of violence within the family, extremely poor living conditions, as well as serious behavioral problems on the part of Stylianos at school.

The witness further testified that the evidence before her pointed to signs of family dysfunction, while describing the child’s condition as severely neglected and expressing the view that there were clear indications Stylianos was living in a particularly stressful family environment.

At the same time, he referred to the teachers’ concerns regarding the safety of the child himself, as well as that of the other students and the school staff.

Source: KYPE