Father of Bulgarian Boys Found Dead in Cyprus Remains in Custody on Manslaughter Charge.
The 30-year-old father of two boys found dead in a locked car in Cyprus has been formally charged with manslaughter and remains in custody until 16 July. His partner was released as no charges were filed against her.
The British court at the Dhekelia base charged the 30-year-old father with causing death by negligence and ordered him to remain in custody until the start of the trial. The case concerns the deaths of two Bulgarian boys who were found dead on Sunday in a locked car in Cyprus.
Investigators decided to bring only the father before the court, as he is the children’s legal guardian. His 38-year-old partner, who was also initially arrested, was released on Wednesday after no charges were brought against her.
During today’s hearing, police justified their request for continued detention by presenting testimony according to which the defendant, after finishing work on Sunday, went to buy alcohol instead of returning home immediately. According to investigators, if he had returned earlier, the tragedy could probably have been avoided.
The defendant’s defence challenged that claim. There is still no official information about the circumstances in which the two brothers became trapped in the locked car under the scorching sun, nor about the cause of their deaths. The leading theory remains suffocation.
The decision was made at today’s hearing of the court at the British air base in Dhekelia. The start of the trial has been scheduled for July 16.