A 20-YEAR-old soldier from Nicosia, whose motorbike accident caused the deaths of two teenagers, was yesterday faced with two charges of manslaughter in an unprecedented move for Cyprus.
Marios Vasiliou was yesterday referred to trial on a total of 11 charges, including the counts of manslaughter. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
He was arrested last Thursday following the accident in Lakatamia, which killed 15-year-old Vasilakis Michail and fatally injured his sister Argyro, 17. She died on Saturday.
Vasiliou was pulling stunts when he lost control of his dirt bike, which climbed the pavement and slammed into the teenagers who were walking home from school. He was uninjured.
Wearing a black roll-neck and jumper together with black tracksuit bottoms, Vasiliou appeared before a Nicosia district court yesterday and was referred to trial by the Assizes where – among others – he will face two manslaughter charges, and two counts of causing death by reckless or dangerous act.
Before the hearing, Vasiliou was seen crying and in one instance he leaned forward, clutching his head with his hands.
He took his place in the dock of the packed courtroom, arms behind his back, at times looking blank, while state prosecutor Lefkos Kyriakides read out the charges and asked if he understood them.
He answered with a simple ‘yes’, apart from the fifth charge – reckless driving – which had to be explained by the judge and his defence lawyer.
After a brief break, during which the judge went through the testimonies, Vasiliou was referred for trial before the Assizes court that will convene on February 24.
Kyriakides suggested the defendant remain in custody until the trial, arguing that the seriousness of the offence and the potential sentence were reasons that could prompt Vasiliou to flee.
The state prosecutor also suggested there was a possibility of the defendant committing another offence or influencing material witnesses if he was freed.
Defence lawyer Antonis Paschalides rejected the state’s arguments and made it a point to stress that the charges brought against his client were unprecedented.
“It is the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus that someone is charged based on Article 205 of the penal code for such an offence,” Paschalides said.
He added that the prosecution was ignoring his client’s personal circumstances and right to freedom granted by the constitution.
“We believe there are already some indications that some authority is trying to create impressions.
“Justice and the constitution cannot remain neutral over this,” Paschalides said.
After a 45-minute break, the judge rejected the state’s request and released Vasiliou on £15,000 bail.
The defendant will have to surrender his passport and other travel documents and appear daily at the Lakatamia police station, apart from the days on which he will be on duty and will be checked by military authorities.
