Father to appear in court over Xylophagou deaths of two boys

Local British BasesbulgariaLarnacaTop Newstrial Father to appear in court over Xylophagou deaths of two boys Autokinito Me Spasmena Tzamia 15 1 Relevant News Father to appear in court over Xylophagou deaths of two boys 16 July 2026 Over half of eurozone shoppers buy from Chinese platforms like Temu 16 July 2026 Neighbour helps residents escape Protaras apartment fire 16 July 2026 Natasa Christoforou 16 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The 30-year-old Bulgarian father is due before Dhekelia Court in the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) at 11:00 today. He is the father of two boys, aged 8 and 10, who were found dead in a car on the afternoon of June 28. The man is charged with causing death through a reckless and rash act, and is expected today to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, the SBA said in an update. The proceedings will not be held with a judge physically present, but via videolink, with an electronic connection to a senior judge who will handle today’s hearing. The SBA update said it is most likely that a judge will attend future hearings in person, travelling from Britain, as happened in the Ormidia murder case in the summer of 2024. Based on the findings of Crime Investigation Department’s (CID) investigation, the father was charged with a more serious offence, since he reportedly did not return home after finishing work, but went elsewhere instead. His lawyer, Adriana Klaidi, said at the previous hearing that her client denies all the charges brought against him, and objected to his continued detention. That request was rejected, and the 30-year-old remains in custody. The two brothers had been left unsupervised after the father went to his job in Limassol on the morning of June 28, and the 38-year-old partner did the same. She was initially arrested but was later released unconditionally. According to testimony heard in court, the father went to his job in Limassol at 4:30am on Sunday, June 28, and only returned to the family’s apartment in Xylophagou after the children were found dead by his partner. The children’s movements had been captured by a motion-activated CCTV camera. Sources familiar with the case say the footage shows the children playing in the yard at 12:10pm, then getting into the car at around 2:30pm. Their stepmother found them unresponsive in the back seat after 5:30pm. The children appear to have got into the car, which was parked in the open area of the apartment block where they lived, through an open door at the back. As philenews revealed, expert examinations found damage to that door, which remained unlocked despite the car itself being locked. The children then appear to have become locked in and trapped inside, as the vehicle’s child safety lock was also activated. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Over half of eurozone shoppers buy from Chinese platforms like Temu Neighbour helps residents escape Protaras apartment fire Ex-officer alleges Cyprus Police wiretapped citizens without warrant Suspended Paphos Mayor to stand trial for rape UN chief Guterres expected in Cyprus late July, in first UNSG visit since 2010 Key witness Andreou testifies today in Zavrantonas cocaine retrial Justice Minister targets sick leave abuse with new bill Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.