Cyprus court reserves decision on appeal by father of two boys — Cyprus Mail
A court in Dhekelia, Cyprus, has reserved its decision on the appeal of Bulgarian citizen Yoko Marinov, who was previously denied bail. As Cyprus Mail reports, Marinov’s lawyer Christos Theodoulou expects the judge to announce the decision within two or three days. No formal date has been set.
Marinov remains in custody pending trial on two charges of causing death through reckless, careless or negligent acts.
Arguments of the parties
The appeal was heard by the senior judge of the Sovereign Base Areas court in Dhekelia. During the hearing, the main focus was on whether an effective mechanism exists to locate and return the defendant to the Sovereign Base Areas if he is released on bail and later absconds.
At an earlier hearing, an officer of the Sovereign Base Areas Police gave testimony and was then questioned by the defence. On Tuesday, the parties concluded the proceedings with closing arguments from the defence and prosecution.
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According to Theodoulou, the prosecution witness’s testimony demonstrated that channels of cooperation exist between the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the Republic of Cyprus to locate, arrest and transfer individuals. The defence also stated that the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and the base areas provide for the detention and return of a person to the bases at the authorities’ request in the event of an escape.
Case circumstances
The defence insisted that Marinov meets the requirements for release on bail and that the court can set conditions ensuring his appearance at trial. The prosecution objected to his release.
Earlier, the court denied the man bail, concluding that the conditions proposed by the defence did not adequately eliminate the risk of his absconding. His earlier appeal seeking permission to travel to Bulgaria for his sons’ funeral was also dismissed.
Marinov’s two sons, aged eight and ten, were found dead in a car in Xylofagou on June 28. If he does not plead guilty, the trial on the merits is due to begin on November 30.
