The 44-year-old driver of the double-cabin vehicle appeared in the defendant’s dock yesterday, charged for the fatal collision that claimed the lives of four people in a tragic road collision 30 minutes after the arrival of the new year at a traffic-controlled intersection on the Limassol-Platres road.
The accused was referred to a direct trial before the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court on February 1st for the offenses of manslaughter, causing death by reckless, heedless, or dangerous act or conduct in violation of Article 210 of the Penal Code, and violation of red and yellow traffic signals.
During the referral process, the Police requested that the accused be held in custody until the trial begins.
The defense lawyers objected, and subsequently, both sides presented arguments regarding the detention of the 44-year-old. The Court ultimately reserved its decision, which will be announced today at 9 a.m.
Addressing the Police’s request, Public Prosecutor Giannos Argyrou relied on the possibility of flight in case the 44-year-old is released.
He pointed out that there are 10 charges, with 4 of them related to the crime of manslaughter, which carries a life sentence. He argued that there is a possibility the accused might flee.
He also referred to the damning evidence in the extensive case file, indicating that it alone shows the guilt of the accused.
Argyrou mentioned the testimonies and statements of the accident investigators, directing the Court to the report of the Traffic Police lieutenant and expert, Stavros Kyriakou.
He stated that the actions are meticulously and scientifically documented, including measurements, reconstruction conclusions, visibility, and other elements.
He did not overlook the video footage of the horrific collision included in the evidence, describing it as a crucial element.
According to him, the video captures the accused’s vehicle violating the red traffic signal.
References were also made to the scale drawing containing information about the accident and the reconstruction plan of the fatal accident.
In his address, the Public Prosecutor noted that this is perhaps one of the most serious traffic cases to happen in our country, where four members of the same family lost their lives, stating that “an entire family was wiped out.”
Finally, he emphasized that the accused faces charges that carry a life sentence, and no form of bail, amount, or other measure of ensuring his presence can be as effective as his detention until the trial date.
On their part, the defense lawyers of the 44-year-old argued that their client’s charges, although serious, are not among the most severe in the Penal Code.
They stressed that the possibility of conviction exists in every case. Various court decisions were cited, highlighting that every accused person has the right to post bail and be free until the trial.
Regarding the accused, it was mentioned that he has been living in Cyprus since 2010 under the supplementary protection status.
It was emphasized that he is a person with a clean criminal record, married, self-employed, and has not left Cyprus for 14 years.
The lawyer suggested that his client be released on bail with specific conditions, namely paying a cash deposit of €25,000 and signing in at a Police Station daily.
